Audio message transfer sheet and manufacturing method thereof, and power supply circuit

ABSTRACT

Sheet-like audio information recording/reproducing means capable of recording/reproducing audio information is sandwiched between two support sheets from front and back only in part of the area thereof and these two support sheets are further sandwiched between two surface sheets and the support sheets and surface sheets are bonded together.

This Application is the National Phase of International Application No.PCT/JP2004/012465 filed Aug. 30, 2004, which designated the U.S. and wasnot published under PCT Article 21(2) in English, and this applicationclaims, via the aforesaid International Application, the foreignpriority benefit of and claims the priority from Japanese ApplicationNo. 2003-304719, filed Aug. 28, 2003, Japanese Application No.2003-304720, filed Aug. 28, 2003, Japanese Application No. 2003-406656,filed Dec. 5, 2003, Japanese Application No. 2004-107536, filed Mar. 31,2004, Japanese Application No. 2004-158298, filed May 27, 2004, JapaneseApplication No. 2004-158299, filed May 27, 2004, Japanese ApplicationNo. 2004-177021, filed Jun. 15, 2004, Japanese Application No.2004-177023, filed Jun. 15, 2004, Japanese Application No. 2004-177024,filed Jun. 15, 2004, and Japanese Application No. 2004-177025, filedJun. 15, 2004, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio message transfer sheet withbuilt-in audio information recording/reproducing means capable ofrecording/reproducing audio information and a manufacturing methodthereof, an audio information output sheet, a POP (Point of Purchase)indicator, a sound information delivery apparatus, an audio informationdelivery component, a label, and a power supply circuit used for thesame and a manufacturing method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, with regard to an article to be delivered such as directmail or greeting card, a sender creates the article, specifies thedestination of the article and then delivers the created article to thespecified destination. The article created and delivered in this way maybe made up of a printed matter describing information of which thesender wants to notify the destination enclosed in an envelope orinformation of which the sender wants to notify the destination printedon a sheet such as post card, etc.

At the destination of the article delivered, after reception of thearticle, the information printed on the article is browsed. and in thisway the information of which the sender wants to notify the destinationis recognized.

However, when the article to be delivered with printed information ofwhich the sender wants to notify the destination is sent by the sender,the information printed on the article delivered from the sender isbrowsed at the destination, and thereby the information of which thesender wants to notify the destination is transferred to thedestination, a desired message of the sender of the article to bedelivered can be transferred to the destination only visually and inthis way the type of transferable information is limited.

Therefore, an information carrier constructed so as to incorporate anaudio apparatus capable of recording/reproducing audio information indirect mail and transfer the message with audio is conceived.

FIG. 1 a is a plan view of an information carrier with an audioapparatus capable of recording/reproducing audio informationincorporated in direct mail, FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view alongthe line A-A′ shown in FIG. 1 a.

As shown in FIG. 1 a, 1 b, this conventional example is constructed of adirect mail component 501 a having a display section 502 on whichaddress information, etc., is printed with a built-in audio apparatus503 capable of recording/reproducing audio information. Furthermore,this audio apparatus 503 is constructed of a PC board 507 mounted withan IC memory 512 for recording audio information and a power supplybattery 511, a speaker 509 which outputs audio information recorded inthe IC memory 512, a switch 508 to be operated when outputting the audioinformation recorded in the IC memory 512 from the speaker 509, all ofwhich are mounted on a mount 503 a, and pasted to the direct mailcomponent 501 a, covered with a cover 513 having a hole from which theswitch 508 and speaker 509 are exposed.

In the direct mail 501 constructed as shown above, address information,etc., is printed on the display section 502 and audio information isrecorded in the audio apparatus 503, and then the audio apparatus 503with audio in which information is recorded is pasted to the direct mailcomponent 501 a and delivered to the destination. At the destination ofthe direct mail 501, after reception of the direct mail 501 if theswitch 508 is operated, the audio information recorded in the audioapparatus 503 is output through the speaker 509. This direct mail 501 isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1999-70770.

However, since the information carrier incorporating the above describedaudio apparatus is constructed of an audio apparatus mounted on orpasted to the direct mail component on which address information, etc.,is printed, there is a problem that the area to which the audioapparatus is pasted becomes so thick that the address information, etc.,cannot be printed with the audio apparatus incorporated. For thisreason, in the case of the above described information carrier, theaddress information, etc., is printed on the direct mail component firstand then the audio apparatus is mounted on or pasted to the direct mailcomponent.

Furthermore, since the audio apparatus is mounted on or pasted to thedirect mail component and the area is thick, if the direct mail isfolded or an external force is applied to this area, the audio apparatusmay be peeled from the direct mail component. When the direct mail istwo-folded or folded in a Z-figure, the direct mail should be folded insuch a way as to avoid the area where the audio apparatus is mounted,which causes a problem that the area where the audio apparatus ismounted or the area which becomes a folding line when the direct mail isfolded is limited.

Furthermore, the above described audio information output sheet capableof recording/reproducing audio information needs to be provided withaudio information outputting means such as a speaker for outputting therecorded audio information, but the audio information outputting meanssuch as a speaker is required to have certain dimensions to secure apredetermined sound volume, which results in a problem that it isdifficult to reduce the size of the entire audio information outputsheet.

Furthermore, POP indicators on which advertisement information on goods,etc., is displayed as a POP are conventionally attached to showcases ata shop such as a department store, supermarket or recently a conveniencestore, and sales promotion activities for goods, etc., are conductedusing these POP indicators. For such POP indicators, various displaymethods or various shapes of POP indicators are considered in order toattract attention of visitors to the store.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-178599discloses a POP indicator with a window through which inventory tagsattached together with the POP indicator are visible formed in ashowcase and a noticeably decorated window frame formed integral withthe POP display section to thereby attract attention to advertisementinformation displayed on the POP display section.

However, in a conventional POP indicator, only advertisement informationon goods is displayed as a POP, and therefore visitors to the store canonly visually recognize advertisement information and there are caseswhere depending on the design of the POP or size of characters, etc.,such a POP indicator may not be adequate to attract attention.

Furthermore, in the case of the POP indicator, an amount of informationof advertisement information displayed as a POP is limited by the sizethereof and the POP indicator is often attached to a showcase and inthat case, the size of the POP indicator is preferably not too large sothat it is kept out of the way of a visitor when the visitor picks up aproduct from the showcase, and therefore there is a problem that it isdifficult to display a large amount of advertisement information as aPOP.

Furthermore, there are a variety of types of devices capable ofrecording/reproducing sound information such as audio. With the slimmingdown of batteries, downsizing of recording control elements, slimmingdown of pronouncing devices, etc., in recent years, there is a proposalon a thin audio recording/reproducing instrument combining theseelements. As a product which uses this audio recording/reproducinginstrument, for example, a mail card which incorporates a thinrecording/reproducing instrument in one sheet of a double-page sheet,designed to output audio from the recording/reproducing instrumentthrough a switch operation linked with an operation of opening the othersheet is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.1997-202072. Furthermore, a duplicate delivery slip which combines arecording/reproducing instrument which records audio informationdirected to the destination of an article to be delivered with a slip isalso disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2003-246165.

Now, the above described delivery slip provided with arecording/reproducing instrument is only designed so that the sender ofthe article inputs audio and the receiver reproduces the audio, andtherefore it does not cause much time and trouble when the sendertransmits a message with audio to the receiver and can be useful becausein this way it is possible to make an impression to the receiver thatthe article is a present given with heartfelt feelings.

However, such a recording/reproducing instrument can be used only whensending an article to be delivered and there has been actually norecording/reproducing instrument that can be used to send a message withaudio itself as a main article to be delivered. Therefore, there hasbeen a demand for one which is thin, without being bulky, capable ofdelivering a message with audio using recording/reproducing means withexcellent usability during recording or reproduction.

Furthermore, Japanese Examined Application Publication No. 1991-45433and Specification of Japanese Patent No. 2889151 disclose an audio cardcapable of recording/reproducing audio information.

Such an audio card is provided with audio inputting means for inputtingaudio information, recording means for recording audio information inputthrough audio inputting means, audio outputting means for outputting theaudio information recorded in the recording means, a recording buttonwhich is pressed when audio information is input through the audioinputting means, a playback button which is pressed when audioinformation is output through the audio outputting means and controllingmeans for controlling these operations, and designed so that the audioinformation is recorded by pressing the recording button and the audioinformation is reproduced by pressing the playback button.

Here, the audio information is recorded in the audio card capable ofrecording audio information in such a way as to overwrite audioinformation recorded in the recording means with the audio informationinput through the audio inputting means. For this reason, after audioinformation is recorded in the recording means, if the recording buttonis pressed mistakenly, the audio information already recorded in therecording means is erased. Therefore, above described Japanese ExaminedApplication Publication No. 1991-45433 describes a technology whichadopts a structure that the recording button is easily detachable sothat the recording button is detached after audio information isrecorded, thereby avoiding audio information from being erased bymisoperation of the recording button. Furthermore, the audio carddescribed in the above described Specification of Japanese Patent No.2889151 is constructed in such a way that when the playback button andrecording button are simultaneously pressed after audio information isrecorded, control is performed such that further recording of audioinformation is prohibited, thereby avoiding audio information from beingerased by misoperation of the recording button.

However, as described above, in the case of the structure that therecording button is made easily detachable so that the recording buttonis detached after audio information is recorded to thereby avoid audioinformation from being erased by misoperation of the recording button,when an audio card with audio information recorded therein is delivered,the audio card is delivered to the destination with part of the audiocard detached, causing a problem that the appearance of the audio cardto be delivered becomes unattractive.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that when the playback buttonand recording button are pressed simultaneously after audio informationis recorded, further recording of audio information is prohibited, thereis a problem that it is not possible to visually confirm whether therecording of audio information is prohibited or not. For this reason,there may be a case where although the recording is not prohibited yetafter audio information is recorded, the user may send the audio cardwithout placing the audio card in a prohibited state believing that therecording is already prohibited. In that case, the recording button maybe pressed mistakenly later and the audio information recorded may beerased. Furthermore, in order to prohibit the recording of audioinformation, the recording button is pressed to record the audioinformation, and therefore when the recording button is pressed beforethe playback button is pressed, part of the audio information recordedmay be erased.

Furthermore, a double postal card combining a transmitting message cardand reply message card is conventionally used for many applications suchas invitation for an event, for example, another party of a weddingceremony, an order form of goods or service, etc. Address informationsuch as the address, name of the receiver is written on the front ofsuch a transmitting message card and information transmitted from thesender to the receiver is written on the back. Furthermore, addressinformation such as the address, name of the sender is written on thefront of the reply message card and an area is provided on the backthereof for entering information to be transmitted from the sender tothe receiver.

The double postal card structured in this manner is folded along aconnecting area between the transmitting message card and reply messagecard in such a way that address information such as the address, name ofthe receiver is exposed and sent to the destination, and at thedestination the transmitting message card is cut from the reply messagecard along the connecting area, the information to be transmitted fromthe receiver to the sender is written on the back of the reply messagecard and only the reply message card is sent back to the sender.

As such, the double postal card combining the transmitting message cardand reply message card has a limited amount of information that can betransferred from the sender to the receiver or from the receiver to thesender and both the transmitting message card and reply message cardneed to include the address information, which further limits the amountof information thereof.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-121858discloses a double postal card having a structure that a sheet having avertical size equal to or double the standard vertical size of a postalcard and a horizontal size four times the standard horizontal size isfolded into the size of the postal card, so that a greater amount ofinformation can be transferred in the standard size of the postal card.

However, though an amount of information that can be transferred may beincreased with such a double postal card, the information can betransferred from the sender to the receiver or from the receiver to thesender only visually, which limits the type of information that can betransferred.

Here, if the audio card disclosed in above described Japanese ExaminedApplication Publication No. 1991-45433 is applied to the above describeddouble postal card, information can be transferred with audio from thesender to the receiver or from the receiver to the sender of the doublepostal card. For example, in the case of an invitation to another partyof a wedding ceremony, if a reply message card is structured so as to beable to record audio information and a reply about whether or not toattend the other party of the wedding ceremony is sent from the receiverof the invitation with a message recorded in the reply message card tothe sender of the invitation, the sender of the invitation can receivethe message with audio from the receiver of the invitation.

However, even with the above described double postal card with thestructure that the recording button is easily detachable so thatdetaching the recording button after audio information is recordedprevents audio information from being erased by misoperation of therecording button, when this reply message card is sent with audioinformation recorded in the reply message card as described above, thereply message card is sent back to the sender with part thereofdetached, which results in a problem that the appearance of the replymessage card sent back becomes unattractive.

Such a problem is not limited to the above described double postal card,and can also occur with an audio information delivery componentcombining a transmitting message section and reply message section.

Furthermore, a label structured so that it can be pasted to an object tobe labeled such as an article using an adhesive is conventionallyprovided in various modes according to the use and used for variousapplications. Such a label can transfer information with the informationprinted or written on the surface thereof.

Furthermore, in recent years, Japanese Patent Application PublicationNo. 2001-242788 discloses a label with information to be transferreddisplayed on the surface thereof and processed into a convex formincluding Braille characters, capable of transferring information to thevisually handicapped, too. In this way, displaying information to betransferred on the surface of a label and processing it into a convexform including Braille characters allows the information displayed onthe surface to be transferred to the able-bodied and allows theinformation expressed through convex form processing to be transferredto the visually handicapped, too.

However, the above described label, to the surface of which convex formprocessing including Braille characters is applied, can transferinformation expressed in Braille characters to the visually handicappedwho can read Braille characters, but cannot transfer information to thevisually handicapped who cannot read Braille characters.

Here, those who can read Braille characters account for less than 20% ofall the visually handicapped and the proportion is less than 5% whenpeople with weak sight and senior citizens are included. For thisreason, even if a label, to the surface of which convex form processingincluding Braille characters is applied is used, there still is aproblem that it is difficult to transfer information to many visuallyhandicapped and people with weak sight.

Furthermore, in recent years, not a small number of products driven bybattery power are required to save space of a power supply section inorder to achieve the downsizing and multi-functions and as a means formeeting such a demand, a button-type battery is used. Furthermore, theabove described audio card, etc., requires a low-profile battery.

Here, in recent years, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2000-502206 discloses a paper battery having a structure of a positiveelectrode and negative electrode laminated together through anelectrolytic layer. This paper battery is partitioned by theelectrolytic layer into the positive electrode and negative electrodeand the respective electrodes of the positive electrode and negativeelectrode are exposed on different surfaces of the paper battery. Forthis reason, when such a paper battery is mounted on a circuit substrateto construct a power supply circuit, one of the positive electrode andnegative electrode does not face the circuit substrate and the electrodenot facing the circuit substrate will have a connection terminal forproviding a connection with the circuit substrate connected bysoldering, etc. through which it is connected to the circuit substrate.However, when the electrodes of the paper battery are connected to thecircuit substrate through the connection terminal, the resistancebetween the electrode and the circuit substrate increases. Moreover,doing so requires an additional operation, which results in reducedproductivity and increased cost.

Therefore, the Specification of Japanese Patent No. 2866383 discloses atechnology of folding part of a paper battery so that a positiveelectrode and a negative electrode are formed on the same surface. Thistechnology folds part of the paper battery whose positive electrode andnegative electrode are formed on different surfaces, superimposes thispaper battery on the circuit substrate through an insulating filmprovided with holes through which parts of the positive electrode andnegative electrode are exposed and connects the positive electrode andnegative electrode of the paper battery, and circuit substrate throughthese holes.

However, as described above, when part of the paper battery is foldedand the positive electrode and negative electrode are thereby formed onthe same surface, this means that the paper battery is continuously usedwith part of the paper battery folded and this involves a problem thatthe paper battery is used in an environment unfavorable to the paperbattery compared to the use of the paper battery without folding.

Furthermore, as described above, in the case of a power supply circuitmade up of a paper battery laminated on the circuit substrate, it ispossible to apply, for example, an anisotropic/conductive film or ananisotropic/conductive adhesive to a connection terminal of the paperbattery, and then mount the paper battery on the circuit substrate andelectrically connect and bond together the paper battery and circuitsubstrate using the anisotropic/conductive film oranisotropic/conductive adhesive.

However, as described above, when the paper battery and circuitsubstrate are connected using an anisotropic/conductive film oranisotropic/conductive adhesive and the paper battery is mounted on acircuit substrate to thereby manufacture a power supply circuit, theanisotropic/conductive film or anisotropic/conductive adhesive isapplied to the electrodes of the paper battery first, and then the paperbattery and circuit substrate are provisionally crimped and then thepaper battery and circuit substrate are completely crimped, whichresults in a problem that such a manufacturing step is more complicatedand productivity is reduced.

Furthermore, there is also a problem that the anisotropic/conductivefilm or anisotropic/conductive adhesive cannot be easily controlled, isexpensive and thereby requires complicated control and increases themanufacture cost of the power supply circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bendable orfoldable audio message transfer sheet allowing information to be printedthereon and a manufacturing method thereof.

Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide anaudio information output sheet which can be downsized while securing apredetermined sound volume.

Furthermore, it is a further object of the present invention to providea POP indicator which can attract sufficient attention of consumers andcontain a large amount of advertisement information.

Furthermore, it is a challenge of the present invention to allow theabove described recording/reproducing means to be delivered on adelivery system based on a conventional delivery slip and it is a stillfurther object of the present invention to facilitate delivery of avoice message as a present.

Furthermore, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide an audio message transfer sheet whose appearance does not becomeunattractive when recording of audio information is prohibited and whichmakes it possible to visually confirm that recording is prohibited.

Furthermore, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide an audio information delivery component comprising atransmitting message section and a reply message section connectedtogether, wherein the reply message section is structured so as to beable to record audio information and it is possible to prevent recordedaudio information from being erased mistakenly without degrading theappearance.

Furthermore, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide a label capable of transmitting information to the able-bodiedand the visually handicapped alike.

Furthermore, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide a power supply circuit comprising a paper battery whose positiveelectrode and negative electrode are exposed on different surfaces,mounted on a sheet-like circuit substrate, the power supply circuitcapable of being formed without increasing the resistance between thepaper battery and circuit substrate and without folding the paperbattery.

Furthermore, it is a still further object of the present invention toprovide a method of manufacturing a power supply circuit comprising apaper battery connected to a circuit substrate, capable of improvingproductivity without increasing the manufacturing cost.

In the present invention, audio information recording/reproducing meanscapable of recording/reproducing audio information has a sheet-likestructure, and this audio information recording/reproducing means issandwiched between two support sheets and these support sheets arefurther sandwiched between two surface sheets, which allows the audioinformation recording/reproducing means to be bent or folded, and theaudio information recording/reproducing means is sandwiched from frontand back in only part of the area of the two support sheets facing theaudio information recording/reproducing means, and therefore thedifference in thickness between the area in which the audio informationrecording/reproducing means is incorporated and other area is reducedthough the audio information recording/reproducing means is incorporatedtherein, which allows information to be printed on the surface sheet.

Furthermore, making the outside shape of the two support sheets equal tothe outside shape of the surface sheets can make the thickness of theentire audio message transfer sheet substantially uniform.

Furthermore, dividing each of the two support sheets into a plurality ofportions makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom in bendingand folding of the audio message transfer sheet.

Furthermore, adopting a structure that the two support sheets areconnected along a bend line facilitates positioning of the two supportsheets.

Furthermore, when audio information outputting means provided for theaudio information recording/reproducing means for outputting audioinformation is constructed of a piezo-electric element which outputsaudio information, a film sheet having a larger diameter than thepiezo-electric element, pasted to one surface of the piezo-electricelement and a diaphragm provided with a hole having a diameter largerthan the diameter of the piezo-electric element and smaller than thediameter of the film sheet, pasted to a film sheet in such a way thatthe piezo-electric element fits into the hole, and the diaphragm isbonded to the support sheet only in the area of the surface of bondingwith the film sheet which is not bonded to the film sheet, it ispossible to prevent the thickness of the area where the audioinformation outputting means is provided from increasing and cause theaudio information outputting means to be fixed to the surface sheetwithout being bonded thereto and thereby avoid vibration of thepiezo-electric element and diaphragm from being interfered.

Furthermore, by adopting a structure that two support sheets sandwichthe audio information recording/reproducing means around operating meansand the audio information recording/reproducing means is mounted on onesupport sheet in the area in which the operating means is provided andmaking the height of the operating means lower than the thickness of thesupport sheet, the operating means is surrounded by the support sheetwhich is thicker than the height of the operating means and it isthereby possible to prevent the operating means from being operated whenforce majeure is applied from outside.

Furthermore, if an ink receiving layer is laminated on the surface of atleast one of the two surface sheets which does not face the supportsheet, when information is printed on the surface sheet by an ink-jetprinter later, the information is printed clearly on the surface sheet.

Furthermore, if this ink receiving layer is superimposed on the surfacesheet before the support sheets sandwiching the audio informationrecording/reproducing means are sandwiched between the surface sheets,it is possible to laminate the ink receiving layer with excellentflatness of the surface sheets and when the surface sheets consist ofsingle pieces cut out from a continuous sheet, the ink receiving layeris laminated on the continuous surface sheet, which facilitates thelamination of the ink receiving layer.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the area of at leastthe audio information output section of the audio informationrecording/reproducing means sandwiched between the two surface sheetscan be folded along a bend line, and therefore the downsizing can beachieved by folding the area where at least the audio information outputsection is incorporated with respect to other areas without reducing thesize of the audio information output section.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when mounted on anobject by a mounting member, advertisement information displayed as aPOP on the surface sheet is visually recognized and when the operatingmeans is operated, audio information recorded in the audio informationrecording/reproducing means is reproduced.

In this way, audio information is recorded in the audio informationrecording/reproducing means and this audio information is designed to bereproducible by the operating means, and therefore if the advertisementinformation is recorded as audio information in the audio informationrecording/reproducing means, the advertisement information is visuallyrecognized and provided as audio information as well, and in this way itis possible to attract attention of consumers and also include a largeamount of advertisement information.

Furthermore, since this operating means and the surface sheet in thearea where the operating means is pasted protrude from other areas, theoperating means can be easily operated.

Furthermore, if the surface sheet is made of synthetic paper suitablefor printing, it is possible not only to print advertisement informationas a POP on the surface sheet but also to improve the durability of thesurface sheet. In the area where the operating means is pasted inparticular, the surface sheet may deteriorate when the operating meansis operated, but using synthetic paper can suppress deterioration of thesurface sheet.

Furthermore, when the power supply section which supplies power to theaudio information recording/reproducing means is constructed of aplurality of paper batteries made up of positive electrodes and negativeelectrodes exposed from different surfaces, if these plurality of paperbatteries are connected in series and the audio substrate which ismounted with the audio information recording/reproducing means andconnected to the power supply section is constructed of a firstconductive area connected to one of both electrodes of the power supplysection and a second conductive area connected to the other of the twoelectrodes of the power supply section formed on different surfaces insuch a way that both electrodes of the power supply section areconnected to the first conductive area and second conductive area, allthat is needed is to connect the plurality of paper batteries and theaudio substrate only at two locations, which can reduce themanufacturing cost.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a conductivemember is sandwiched between two surface sheets, an IC chip having astorage area and a second switch are electrically connected through theconductive member, and if the second switch is operated in thiscondition, a second instruction signal for recording audio informationin the IC chip is input to the IC chip and the audio information inputthrough the audio information inputting/outputting means is recorded inthe IC chip. Then, if the conductive member is removed from the twosurface sheets, the IC chip and second switch are electrically left openand even if the second switch is operated in this condition, the secondinstruction signal for recording the audio information in the IC chip isnot input to the IC chip and even if audio information is thereby inputvia the audio information inputting means, the audio information is notrecorded in the IC chip. For this reason, if the conductive member isremoved from the two surface sheets after the audio information isrecorded in the IC chip, the audio information recorded in the IC chipis not erased even if the second switch is operated later.

Thus, recording of the audio information in the IC chip is enabled bythe conductive member sandwiched between the two surface sheets and therecording of the audio information in the IC chip is prohibited byremoving this conductive member from the two surface sheets, andtherefore even if the recording of the audio information in the IC chipis prohibited, the surface sheets which become the appearance of theaudio message transfer sheet remain as they are, preventing theappearance from becoming unattractive. Furthermore, whether therecording of the audio information in the IC chip is prohibited or notcan be determined through the presence/absence of the conductive member,and therefore it is possible to visually confirm that the recording isprohibited.

Furthermore, audio information is recorded in the first audioinformation recording/reproducing means sandwiched between the twosurface sheets with the transmitting message section and the replymessage section connected. Then, when the transmitting message sectionis separated from the reply message section along the connection part inorder to send the reply message section, wiring for recording audioinformation sandwiched between the two surface sheets in such a way asto span the transmitting message section and the reply message sectionof the first audio information recording/reproducing means sandwichedbetween the two surface sheets is cut. In this way, when thetransmitting message section is separated from the reply messagesection, it is not possible to record audio information in the firstaudio information recording/reproducing means, preventing the audioinformation already recorded in the first audio informationrecording/reproducing means from being erased mistakenly. Furthermore,of the first audio information recording/reproducing means, the portionother than the wiring for recording the audio information is sandwichedbetween the two surface sheets on the reply message section side, andtherefore it is possible for the receiver of the reply message sectionto reproduce the audio information recorded in the first audioinformation recording/reproducing means.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, audio information isrecorded in the audio information recording/reproducing means sandwichedbetween the two sheet base materials, this label is pasted to an object,the object is supplied to the destination of the audio information bydelivery, etc., and then the audio information recorded in the audioinformation recording/reproducing means is reproduced at the destinationof the audio information and the desired audio information is therebytransmitted to the destination.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a paper battery isconstructed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode laminatedthrough an electrolytic layer with both the positive and negativeelectrodes exposed from different surfaces, and the paper battery isconnected to a sheet-like circuit substrate on which a conductive areato be connected to the electrodes is formed and a power supply circuitis formed of the paper battery and the conductive area, in order for oneof the positive electrode and negative electrode to be connected to afirst conductive area formed on one surface of the circuit substrate,the paper battery is mounted on the surface on which the firstconductive area is formed and the other electrode of the positiveelectrode and negative electrode is connected to a second conductivearea formed on the other surface, and in this way a power supply circuitis formed of the paper battery, and the first and second conductiveareas.

In this way, one of the positive electrode and negative electrodeexposed from the different surfaces of the paper battery is connected tothe first conductive area formed on one surface of the sheet-likecircuit substrate, the other of the positive electrode and negativeelectrode is connected to the second conductive area formed on the othersurface to thereby form a power supply circuit, and therefore it ispossible to form a power supply circuit without increasing theresistance between the paper battery and the circuit substrate andwithout folding the paper battery.

Furthermore, if the circuit substrate is provided with a notch for theother electrode to fit from the front side into the back side of thecircuit substrate so that the other electrode of the paper battery fitsinto the side on which the second conductive area is formed through thenotch and is connected to the second conductive area, it is possible toallow the other electrode of the paper battery to fit into the otherside of the circuit substrate through the notch and connect to thesecond conductive area even when the paper battery is mounted on anypart other than the end of the circuit substrate.

Furthermore, when a plurality of sets of first and second conductiveareas are formed and as many paper batteries as the sets of first andsecond conductive areas are mounted so as to be connected to theplurality of first and second conductive areas, and when the pluralityof first and second conductive areas are connected so that the pluralityof paper batteries are connected in series, if the first and secondconductive areas are formed so that at least some of the plurality ofpaper batteries overlap with one another, it is possible to reduce thearea of the circuit substrate on which the plurality of paper batteriesare mounted and realize a cost reduction.

According to the present invention, when the paper battery is mounted onthe circuit substrate so that the positive electrode and negativeelectrode of the paper battery face the two connection terminalsprovided on the circuit substrate and then ultrasonic vibration isapplied to the mutually facing areas, the positive electrode andnegative electrode of the paper battery are melted, and the positiveelectrode and negative electrode of the paper battery and the twoconnection terminals of the circuit substrate are thereby electricallyconnected through ultrasonic bonding.

By so doing, it is possible to electrically connect the paper batteryand the circuit substrate without using expensive materials such as ananisotropic/conductive film or anisotropic/conductive adhesive, preventthe manufacturing cost from increasing, simplify manufacturing steps andimprove productivity.

Furthermore, if a hole is made in the area in which the connectionterminal of the circuit substrate is formed, the positive electrode andnegative electrode of the paper battery melted through ultrasonicvibration flow into this hole, which increases the bonding force betweenthe paper battery and circuit substrate.

Furthermore, when the paper battery is mounted on the circuit substrate,if no connection terminal is formed in part of the area facing thepositive electrode and negative electrode of the circuit substrate, partof the area facing the positive electrode and negative electrode of thecircuit substrate is melted through ultrasonic vibration and the bondingforce between the paper battery and circuit substrate is therebyincreased.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description withreference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a plan view of an information carrier with an audioapparatus capable of recording/reproducing audio informationincorporated in a direct mail;

FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 illustrates a laminated structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c;

FIG. 4 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheets andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2c and FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2c and FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a illustrates a structure when the two support sheets shown inFIG. 2 c and FIG. 3 are made up of one sheet;

FIG. 5 b illustrates how the sheet is folded along the bend line shownin FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure of the audio information output sectionshown in FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view around the switch of the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 8 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 8 a;

FIG. 8 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 9a;

FIG. 10 illustrates a recording area of the IC chip shown in FIG. 9 b;

FIG. 11 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet 301 shown in FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 11a;

FIG. 12 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 12 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 12a;

FIG. 13 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 13 a;

FIG. 13 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 13a;

FIG. 14 a illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 14 b illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 14 c illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 14 d illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 14 e illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 14 f illustrates a method of manufacturing the audio messagetransfer sheet shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c;

FIG. 15 a is a plan view of an audio information output sheet accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio information outputsheet shown in FIG. 15 a;

FIG. 15 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 15a;

FIG. 16 illustrates a laminated structure of the audio informationoutput sheet shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 c;

FIG. 17 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 15 b, 15c and FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 15 b, 15c and FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 a illustrates the audio information output sheet shown in FIGS.15 a to 15 c and FIG. 16 not in use;

FIG. 18 b illustrates the audio information output sheet shown in FIGS.15 a to 15 c and FIG. 16 in use;

FIG. 19 a is a plan view of an audio information output sheet accordingto an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio information outputsheet shown in FIG. 19 a;

FIG. 19 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 19a;

FIG. 20 a illustrates the audio information output sheet shown in FIGS.19 a to 19 c not in use;

FIG. 20 b illustrates the audio information output sheet shown in FIGS.19 a to 19 c in use;

FIG. 21 a is a plan view of a POP indicator according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 b illustrates an inner structure of the POP indicator shown inFIG. 21 a;

FIG. 22 illustrates a laminated structure of the POP indicator shown inFIGS. 21 a, 21 b;

FIG. 23 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheets andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIG. 22 b andFIG. 23;

FIG. 23 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIG. 22 b andFIG. 23;

FIG. 24 a is a plan view of the structure of the paper battery shown inFIG. 21 b, FIG. 22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b;

FIG. 24 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 24a;

FIG. 24 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 24a;

FIG. 25 illustrates the three paper batteries shown in FIGS. 24 a to 24c connected in series as shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG. 22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23b;

FIG. 26 a illustrates how the audio substrate shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG.22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b is connected to the paper battery shown in FIG.25;

FIG. 26 b illustrates how the audio substrate shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG.22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b is connected to the paper battery shown in FIG.25;

FIG. 27 a is a plan view of a POP indicator according to a tenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 b illustrates an inner structure of the POP indicator shown inFIG. 27 a;

FIG. 28 illustrates a sound information delivery apparatus according toan eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of a package of the sound informationdelivery apparatus shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates the sound information delivery apparatus shown inFIG. 28 broken down into a package, recording/reproducing means carrierand delivery slip;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a delivery slip of the soundinformation delivery apparatus shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 b illustrates an inner structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIG. 32 a;

FIG. 32 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 32a;

FIG. 32 d is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 32a;

FIG. 33 illustrates a laminated structure of the audio message transfersheet shown in FIGS. 32 a to 32 d;

FIG. 34 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 32 a to32 d and FIG. 33;

FIG. 34 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 32 a to32 d and FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 a illustrates a detailed structure of the audio substrate shownin FIG. 32 b;

FIG. 35 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ of the switchshown in FIG. 35 a when not operated;

FIG. 35 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ of the switchshown in FIG. 35 a when operated;

FIG. 35 d illustrates a structure of the back of the conductive membershown in FIG. 32 d;

FIG. 35 e is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 35a;

FIG. 36 a is a plan view of a double postal card which constitutes anaudio information delivery component according to a thirteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 b illustrates an inner structure of the double postal card shownin FIG. 36 a;

FIG. 36 c is a rear view of the double postal card shown in FIG. 36 a;

FIG. 36 d is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 36a;

FIG. 37 illustrates a laminated structure of the double postal cardshown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d;

FIG. 38 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 36 a to36 d and FIG. 37;

FIG. 38 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 36 a to36 d and FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 a is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch whenthe switch is not pressed through the recording button shown in FIGS. 36a, 26 b;

FIG. 39 b is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch whenthe switch is pressed through the recording button shown in FIGS. 36 a,26 b;

FIG. 40 illustrates an inner structure of the double postal card shownin FIGS. 36 a to 36 d separated into a transmitting message card andreply message card along the connection part;

FIG. 41 a is a plan view of a double postal card which constitutes anaudio information delivery component according to a fourteenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 b is a plan view of an inner structure of the double postal cardshown in FIG. 41 a;

FIG. 41 c is a rear view of the double postal card shown in FIG. 41 a;

FIG. 41 d is a rear view of an inner structure of the double postal cardshown in FIG. 41 a;

FIG. 41 e is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 41a;

FIG. 42 illustrates a laminated structure of the double postal cardshown in FIGS. 41 a to 41 e;

FIG. 43 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 41 a to41 e and FIG. 42;

FIG. 43 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 41 a to41 e and FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 a is a plan view of a label according to a fifteenth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 44 b illustrates an inner structure of the label shown in FIG. 44a;

FIG. 44 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 44a;

FIG. 45 illustrates a laminated structure of the label shown in FIGS. 44a to 44;

FIG. 46 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducirig section shown in FIGS. 44 a to44 c and FIG. 45;

FIG. 46 b illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet andaudio information recording/reproducing section shown in FIGS. 44 a to44 c and FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 a is a plan view of a label according to a sixteenth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 47 b illustrates an inner structure of the label shown in FIG. 47a;

FIG. 47 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 47a;

FIG. 47 d is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 47a;

FIG. 48 illustrates a laminated structure of the label shown in FIGS. 47a to 47 d;

FIG. 49 a is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch shownin FIGS. 47 a to 47 c when the switch is not pressed through therecording button;

FIG. 49 b is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch shownin FIGS. 47 a to 47 c when the switch is pressed through the recordingbutton;

FIG. 50 illustrates an inner structure of the label shown in FIGS. 47 ato 47 d when cut into two areas along perforation;

FIG. 51 a is a plan view of a label according to a seventeenthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 b illustrates an inner structure of the label shown in FIG. 51a;

FIG. 51 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 51a;

FIG. 52 illustrates laminated structure of the label shown in FIGS. 51 ato 51 c;

FIG. 53 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit according to an eighteenth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 53 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 53a;

FIG. 53 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 53a;

FIG. 54 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery shown in FIGS.53 a to 53 c is mounted, on which the paper battery 7001 is mounted;

FIG. 54 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 54 a;

FIG. 55 a illustrates a structure of the surface of a power supplycircuit with the paper battery shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c mounted onthe circuit substrate shown in FIGS. 54 a, 54 b, on which the paperbattery 7001 is mounted;

FIG. 55 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 55 a;

FIG. 56 a illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 55 a, 55 b;

FIG. 56 b illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 55 a, 55 b;

FIG. 56 c illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 55 a, 55 b;

FIG. 56 d illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 55 a, 55 b;

FIG. 57 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery shown in FIGS.53 a to 53 c is mounted, on which the paper battery is mounted;

FIG. 57 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 57 a;

FIG. 58 a illustrates a structure of the surface of a power supplycircuit with the paper battery shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c mounted onthe circuit substrate shown in FIGS. 57 a to 57 d, on which the paperbattery is mounted;

FIG. 58 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 58 a;

FIG. 59 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit according to a twentieth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 59 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 59a;

FIG. 59 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 59a;

FIG. 60 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery shown in FIGS.59 a to 59 c is mounted, on which the paper battery is mounted;

FIG. 60 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 60 a;

FIG. 61 a illustrates a structure of the surface of a power supplycircuit with the paper battery shown in FIGS. 59 a to 59 c mounted onthe circuit substrate shown in FIGS. 60 a, 60 b, on which the paperbattery is mounted;

FIG. 61 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite to the surfaceshown in FIG. 61 a;

FIG. 62 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit manufactured using a method of manufacturing apower supply circuit according to a twenty-first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 62 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 62a;

FIG. 62 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 62a;

FIG. 63 illustrates the three paper batteries shown in FIGS. 62 a to 62c connected in series;

FIG. 64 a illustrates a structure of one surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate used for a power supply circuitmanufactured using a method of manufacturing a power supply circuitaccording to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 64 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the circuitsubstrate shown in FIG. 64 a;

FIG. 65 a illustrates a structure of one surface of the power supplycircuit with the paper batteries shown in FIG. 63 mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 64 a, 64 b;

FIG. 65 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the powersupply circuit shown in FIG. 65 a;

FIG. 66 a illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b;

FIG. 66 b illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b;

FIG. 66 c illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b;

FIG. 66 d illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b;

FIG. 66 e illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b;

FIG. 67 illustrates a connection state between the substrate of thepower supply circuit and the paper battery manufactured using themanufacturing method shown in FIGS. 66 a to 66 e;

FIG. 68 a illustrates a structure of one surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate used for a power supply circuitmanufactured using a method of manufacturing a power supply circuitaccording to a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 68 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the circuitsubstrate shown in FIG. 68 a;

FIG. 69 a illustrates a structure of one surface of the power supplycircuit with the paper batteries shown in FIG. 63 mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 68 a, 68 b;

FIG. 69 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the powersupply circuit shown in FIG. 69 a;

FIG. 70 a illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b;

FIG. 70 b illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b;

FIG. 70 c illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b;

FIG. 70 d illustrates a method of manufacturing the power supply circuitshown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b; and

FIG. 71 illustrates a connection state between the substrate of thepower supply circuit manufactured using the manufacturing method shownin FIGS. 70 a to 70 d and the paper battery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 2 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet shown in FIG. 2 aand FIG. 2 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG.2 a. Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates a laminated structure of the audiomessage transfer sheet 1 shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c and FIG. 3, this embodiment is constructedof a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducing section 30capable of recording/reproducing audio information sandwiched betweentwo support sheets 20 a, 20 b made of a flexible and thin material suchas paper base material with the support sheets 20 a, 20 b between whichthe audio information recording/reproducing section 30 is sandwichedbeing further sandwiched between two surface sheets 10 a, 10 b havingthe same outside shapes as those of the support sheets 20 a, 20 b, madeof a flexible and thin material such as paper base material. The surfacesheets 10 a, 10 b, support sheets 20 a, 20 b and audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30 are bonded to one another throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 20 a,20 b. This adhesive work can be realized, for example, by pasting adouble-faced tape to the front and back of the support sheets 20 a, 20 bor applying a hot-melt type adhesive thereto.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 30 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information output section 40 made upof a piezo-electric element 41, a diaphragm 42 and a film sheet whichwill be described later, for outputting recorded audio information, anaudio substrate 32 mounted with a thin IC chip 34 which is audioinformation recording means for recording audio information and a thinswitch 33 which is operating means operated for outputting the audioinformation recorded in the IC chip 34 from the audio information outputsection 40, and flexible paper batteries 31 connected to the audiosubstrate 32, for supplying power to the audio substrate 32, and theaudio substrate 32 is further provided with connection terminals 35 forinputting audio information to the IC chip 34 from outside. In this way,the audio information recording/reproducing section 30 has sheet-likestructure. Here, the audio substrate 32 is a flexible, thin substratemade of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., with the IC chip 34 bonded bymeans of anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP), anisotropic/conductivefilm (ACF), wire bonding or the like.

Furthermore, when superimposed with the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30, the support sheet 20 a is providedwith holes 21 a, 22, 23, 24 a in areas facing the paper batteries 31,switch 33, IC chip 34 and audio information output section 40,respectively. Furthermore, when superimposed with the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30, the support sheet 20 b is providedwith holes 21 b, 24 b in areas facing the paper batteries 31 and audioinformation output section 40, respectively.

In this way, the holes 21 a, 22, 23, 24 a are formed in the areas of thesupport sheet 20 a facing the paper batteries 31, switch 33, IC chip 34and audio information output section 40, and the holes 21 b, 24 b areformed in the areas of the support sheet 20 b facing the paper batteries31 and audio information output section 40, which reduces the differencein thickness between the areas where the paper batteries 31, switch 33,IC chip 34 and audio information output section 40 and the other areas,improves flatness of the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b and facilitatesprinting of information on the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b. Furthermore,by making the total thickness of the support sheets 20 a, 20 bequivalent to or greater than the thickness of the thickest part of theaudio information recording/reproducing section 30, it is possible tomake the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b substantially flat. In this case, bysandwiching the thin parts of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30, for example, the area of the audiosubstrate 32 between the support sheets 20 a, 20 b, the audio substrate32 is fixed. Since the area of the paper batteries 31 is connected tothe audio substrate 32, this area need not be sandwiched between thesupport sheets 20 a, 20 b. Furthermore, since the surface sheets 10 a,10 b are pasted to the support sheets 20 a, 20 b, even when the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 30 has projections anddepressions, the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b may be recessed by beingpressed, but when there is no pressing force as in the case of anink-jet type, the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b can maintain the flatness,and thereby allows printing as well.

FIG. 4 a illustrates the support sheet 20 a shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 cand FIG. 3 and audio information recording/reproducing section 30laminated together and FIG. 4 b illustrates the support sheet 20 b shownin FIGS. 2 a to 2 c and FIG. 3 and the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30 laminated together.

As shown in FIG. 4 a, the hole 21 a formed in the area of the supportsheet 20 a facing the paper batteries 31 is smaller than the paperbatteries 31 and the hole 22 formed in the area facing the switch 33 islarger than the switch 33, the hole 23 formed in the area facing the ICchip 34 is larger than the IC chip 34 and the hole 24 a formed in thearea facing the audio information output section 40 is larger than theaudio information output section 40.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 b, the hole 21 b formed in the area ofthe support sheet 20 b facing the paper batteries 31 is smaller than thepaper batteries 31 and the hole 24 b formed in the area facing the audioinformation output section 40 is smaller than the audio informationoutput section 40.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 30 islaminated with only parts thereof sandwiched between the two supportsheets 20 a, 20 b from front and back and fixed through adhesive workapplied to the front and back of the support sheets 20 a, 20 b.

Furthermore, of the two surface sheets 10 a, 10 b, the surface sheet 10a facing the switch 33 and IC chip 34 through the holes 22, 23 of thesupport sheet 20 a is provided with an information display area 2 whereaddress information, etc., is printed when this audio message transfersheet 1 is mailed and the area facing the switch 33 through the hole 22of the support sheet 20 a is provided with a printed playback button 3for operating the switch 33. Furthermore, in the area facing the audioinformation output section 40 through the hole 24 a of the support sheet20 a, an audio output area 4 made up of an array of fine holes foroutputting audio output from the audio information output section 40 isformed. Even when the front and back of the audio information outputsection 40 are covered with the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b, the formationof the audio output area 4 made up of an array of fine holes cancompensate for a reduction of sound volume output from the audioinformation output section 40. In the audio output area 4, holes of 0.1mm in diameter are formed horizontally and vertically at intervals of1.5 mm through laser beam machining. Therefore, unlike punching orperforation using needles, etc., no burrs are formed and the holes arenever clogged with burrs. Furthermore, in FIG. 1, though the informationdisplay area 2 is not provided above the audio output area 4,information including the playback button 3 is actually printed over theentire surface of the surface sheet 10 a, and therefore the informationdisplay area 2 may also be provided above the audio output area 4.Furthermore, instead of providing the playback button 3 on the surfacesheet 10 a by printing, it is also possible to paste a seal to the areafacing the switch 33 after information is printed on the surface sheet10 a.

Here, in the case of the audio message transfer sheet 1 structured asdescribed above, the audio information recording/reproducing section 30is laminated with only part thereof sandwiched between the two supportsheets 20 a, 20 b from front and back as mentioned above and fixedthrough adhesive work applied to the front and back of the supportsheets 20 a, 20 b. Since the support sheets 20 a, 20 b are provided withholes 21 a, 21 b, 22, 23, 24 a, 24 b in the areas facing the paperbatteries 31, switch 33, IC chip 34 and audio information output section40 of the audio information recording/reproducing section 30, when thesupport sheets 20 a, 20 b and the audio informationrecording/reproducing.section 30 are laminated, it is necessary toprecisely align the holes 21 a, 22, 23, 24 a formed in the support sheet20 a with the holes 21 b, 24 b formed in the support sheet 20 b.

Therefore, the support sheets 20 a, 20 b may be made up of one sheet sothat two support sheets 20 a, 20 b are constructed by folding this onesheet and the holes 21 a, 22, 23, 24 a formed in the support sheet 20 aare aligned precisely with the holes 21 b, 24 b formed in the supportsheet 20 b.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a structure of the two support sheets 20 a, 20 bshown in FIG. 2 c and FIG. 3 constructed of one sheet and FIG. 5 billustrates how the sheet is folded along the bend line 25 shown in FIG.5 a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, the two support sheets 20 a, 20 b shown inFIG. 2 c and FIG. 3 are mutually connected along the half-cut bend line25, the support sheets 20 a, 20 b are folded along the bend line 25 sothat the audio information recording/reproducing section 30 issandwiched between these two support sheets 20 a, 20 b and the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 30 is fixed through adhesivework applied to both surfaces of the support sheets 20 a, 20 b. In thisway, the holes 21 a, 22, 23, 24 a formed in the support sheet 20 a areprecisely aligned with the holes 21 b, 24 b formed in the support sheet20 b.

The structure of the audio information output section 40 will beexplained in detail below.

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure of the audio information output section40 shown in FIG. 2 b and is a cross-sectional view around the audioinformation output section 40 of the audio message transfer sheet 1shown in FIG. 2 b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the audio information output section 40 in thisembodiment is constructed of a flexible piezo-electric element 41 foroutputting audio information recorded in the IC chip 34, a flexible filmsheet 43 pasted to one side of the piezo-electric element 41 and aflexible diaphragm 42 pasted to the film sheet 43 and made of styrenepaper, etc., for amplifying vibration of the piezo-electric element 41.Here, the diameter of the film sheet 43 is designed to be greater thanthe diameter of the piezo-electric element 41, and therefore when thepiezo-electric element 41 is pasted to the film sheet 43, an area wherethe piezo-electric element 41 is not pasted and exposed remains aroundthe piezo-electric element 41 on the surface of the film sheet 43 towhich the piezo-electric element 41 is not pasted. Furthermore, thediaphragm 42 is designed to have a hole having a diameter greater thanthat of the piezo-electric element 41 and smaller than the diameter ofthe film sheet 43, and therefore the diaphragm 42 can be pasted to onlythe film sheet 43 so that the piezo-electric element 41 can fit intothis hole on the surface of the film sheet 43 to which thepiezo-electric element 41 is pasted. This diaphragm 42 is bonded to thesupport sheet 20 b in the area out of the surface to which the filmsheet 43 is pasted where the film sheet 43 is not pasted throughadhesive work applied to both sides of the support sheet 20 b. Thisprevents the thickness of the area where the audio information outputsection 40 is provided from increasing and causes the audio informationoutput section 40 to be fixed to the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b withoutbeing bonded, thus avoiding the vibration of the piezo-electric element41 and diaphragm 42 from being interfered. Furthermore, setting thelength of one side of the diaphragm 42 to, for example, 2.8 times thediameter of the piezo-electric element 41 can obtain the maximum soundvolume effect of audio information output from the piezo-electricelement 41. The audio information output section 40 structured in thisway can also function as a microphone for inputting audio information,and in that case, a switch (not shown) for inputting audio informationthrough the audio information output section 40 needs to be provided onthe audio substrate 32. Furthermore, for the piezo-electric element 41,it is possible to use a PZT-PMN based (lead-zirconate-titanate+leadmagnesium niobate) material having a diameter of 27 mm, thickness of0.16 mm.

The structure of the periphery of the switch 33 will be explained indetail below.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the switch 33 ofthe audio message transfer sheet 1 shown in FIG. 2 b.

The switch 33 shown in FIG. 2 b has flexibility. Furthermore, as shownin FIG. 7, of the support sheets 20 a, 20 b in the area where the switch33 is mounted, only the support sheet 20 a is provided with a hole 22 inthe area facing the switch 33, and therefore the audio substrate 32 issandwiched and fixed by the two support sheets 20 a, 20 b around theswitch 33, while in the area of the audio substrate 32 where the switch33 is mounted, the audio substrate 32 is mounted on one support sheet 20b and fixed through adhesive work applied to both sides of the supportsheet 20 b.

Here, if the height of the switch 33 is assumed to be smaller than thethickness of the support sheet 20 a, the switch 33 is surrounded by thesupport sheet 20 a which is thicker than the height of the switch 33,which avoids the switch 33 from being operated when a force majeure isapplied from outside. When the audio message transfer sheet is passedthrough a destination sorter using postal code (mail-sorting system),this prevents the playback button 3 from being pressed and the paperbatteries 31 from being uselessly consumed or audio information recordedin the IC chip 34 from being overwritten or erased during delivery.

A method of recording audio information in the above described audiomessage transfer sheet 1 will be explained below.

As described above, audio information may be recorded in the IC chip 34through the audio information output section 40, but in that case, noisemay be mixed into the audio information, drastically degrading thequality of sound recorded in the IC chip 34. Therefore, the connectionterminals 35 provided on the audio substrate 32 are connected to theaudio input source so that the audio information is recorded in the ICchip 34 through the connection terminals 35, thus making it possible torecord the audio information in the IC chip 34 without any noise gettingtherein. In this case, instead of connecting the paper batteries 31 tothe audio substrate 32, if the audio substrate 32 is supplied with powerfrom outside through the connection terminals 35, the paper batteries 31will not be consumed when audio information is recorded in the IC chip34.

The above described audio message transfer sheet 1 may be formed into apostal card size and used as mail or may be formed into a card size andused as a business card or a message card with audio, etc.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 8 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet shown in FIG. 8 aand FIG. 8 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG.8 a.

As shown in FIGS. 8 a to 8 c, this embodiment differs from the firstembodiment only in that the audio substrate 32 is provided with a switch33 b to be pressed when audio information is recorded in the IC chip 34and a recording button 3 b is printed on an area facing the switch 33 bof the surface sheet 10 a. As in the case of the playback button 3 a,the recording button 3 b may not necessarily be printed on the surfacesheet 10 a but it is also possible to print information on the surfacesheet 10 a and then paste a seal to the area facing the switch 33 b.

In the audio message transfer sheet 101 structured as described above,when audio information is recorded in the IC chip 34, if audioinformation is input through the audio information output section 40with the recording button 3 b provided on the surface sheet 10 a helddown, the audio information input through the audio information outputsection 40 is recorded in the IC chip 34 and if the playback button 3 aprovided on the surface sheet 10 a is pressed, the audio informationrecorded in the IC chip 34 is output through the audio informationoutput section 40.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet 201 shown in FIG. 9a and FIG. 9 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown inFIG. 9 a. Furthermore, FIG. 10 illustrates a recording area of the ICchip 234 shown in FIG. 9 b.

As shown in FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, this embodiment is equivalent to the firstembodiment further provided with three switches 233 a to 233 c to bepressed when audio information recorded in an IC chip 234 is reproducedon an audio substrate 32 and three playback buttons 203 a to 203 cprinted in the areas facing the switches 233 a to 233 c on a surfacesheet 10 a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording area of theIC chip 234 in which audio information is recorded is divided into threeareas 234 a to 234 c and different pieces of audio information arerecorded in the respective areas 234 a to 234 c.

In the audio message transfer sheet 201 structured as described above,of the three playback buttons 203 a to 203 c, when the playback button203 a is pressed, for example, the audio information recorded in therecording area 234 a of the IC chip 234 out of the audio informationrecorded in the IC chip 234 is output from the audio information outputsection 40, when the playback button 203 b is pressed, the audioinformation recorded in the recording area 234 b of the IC chip 234 outof the audio information recorded in the IC chip 234 is output from theaudio information output section 40, and when the playback button 203 cis pressed, the audio information recorded in the recording area 234 cof the IC chip 234 out of the audio information recorded in the IC chip234 is output from the audio information output section 40.

In this way, by recording a plurality of pieces of audio information inone IC chip 234 and selectively pressing the plurality of playbackbuttons 203 a to 203 c provided on the surface sheet 10 a, it ispossible to selectively output a plurality of pieces of audioinformation recorded in the IC chip 234 from the audio informationoutput section 40.

This embodiment is provided with three playback buttons 203 a to 203 cand switches 233 a to 233 c and the information recording area in the ICchip 234 is divided into three areas 234 a to 234 c, but the number ofplayback buttons and switches and the number of portions into which theinformation recording area in the IC chip is divided is not limited to3.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet 301 shown in FIG. 11a and FIG. 11 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown inFIG. 11 a.

As shown in FIGS. 11 a to 11 c, this embodiment is equivalent to thefirst embodiment further provided with two audio information outputsections 340 a, 340 b on an audio information recording/reproducingsection 330, and a surface sheet 310 a is provided with audio outputareas 304 a, 304 b for outputting audio information from these audioinformation output sections 340 a, 340 b through bend lines 305 a, 305b. Furthermore, support sheets 320 a, 320 b are divided into threeportions so as to correspond to three adjoining areas along the bendlines 305 a, 305 b of the surface sheet 310 a so that the audio outputareas 304 a, 304 b can be folded along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b. Aninformation display area 2 is provided so as to span three adjoiningareas along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b.

In the audio message transfer sheet 301 structured as described above,audio information recorded in an IC chip 34 is output from the two audioinformation output sections 340 a, 340 b, and therefore it is possibleto increase the sound volume of the output audio information compared tothe first embodiment. In this case, a piezo-electric element 41 is usedas a device for outputting the audio information recorded in the IC chip34, and therefore even when the audio information recorded in the ICchip 34 is output from the two audio information output sections 340 a,340 b, the life of paper batteries 31 is not shortened.

Furthermore, since the two audio output areas 304 a, 304 b are foldablealong the two bend lines 305 a, 305 b, when the audio informationrecorded in the IC chip 34 is not output from the audio informationoutput sections 340 a, 340 b, the audio output areas 304 a, 304 b can befolded along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b so as to improve theportability of the audio message transfer sheet 301. For example,setting the size of the sheet when the audio output areas 304 a, 304 bare folded along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b to a business card sizeallows the audio message transfer sheet 301 to be housed in a businesscard case, etc.

Furthermore, it is also possible to cause different pieces of audioinformation to be output from the two audio information output sections340 a, 340 b. This allows the receiver of the audio message transfersheet 301 to listen to the information recorded in the IC chip 34 asstereophonic broadcast, for example.

This embodiment is provided with two audio information output sections340 a, 340 b, but the number of audio information output sections is notlimited to 2. Furthermore, an information display area 2 is providedextending over three adjoining areas along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b,but it is also possible to provide the information display area in onlysome of the adjoining three areas along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, one audio substrate 32 isconnected to the two audio information output sections 340 a, 340 b, butit is also possible to provide one audio substrate for each of the audioinformation output sections 340 a, 340 b and output audio informationrecorded in IC chips provided on the audio substrates by operating therespective switches provided on the audio substrates.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the support sheets 320 a, 320b are divided into three portions so as to correspond to the threeadjoining areas along the bend lines 305 a, 305 b of the surface sheet310 a, but it is also possible to further divide the support sheetsdivided so as to correspond to the three adjoining areas along the bendlines 305 a, 305 b. Adopting such a structure further increases thedegree of freedom in bending or folding the audio message transfer sheet301. Dividing the support sheet into a plurality of portions in this wayis not limited to this embodiment, but can also be applied to the abovedescribed first to fourth embodiments and fifth and sixth embodimentswhich will be described later.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 12 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet shown in FIG. 12 aand FIG. 12 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown inFIG. 12 a.

As shown in FIGS. 12 a to 12 c, this embodiment only differs from thefirst embodiment in that the outside shapes of support sheets 420 a, 420b are smaller than the outside shapes of the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b.

Thus, the present invention is equally applicable to a case where theoutside shapes of the support sheets 420 a, 420 b are smaller than theoutside shapes of the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b and a case where theoutside shapes of the support sheets 420 a, 420 b are greater than theoutside shapes of the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 13 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet shown in FIG. 13 aand FIG. 13 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown inFIG. 13 a.

As shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c, this embodiment corresponds to the firstembodiment with an ink receiving layer 511 superimposed on the surfaceof a surface sheet 10 a not facing a support sheet 20 a.

In the audio message transfer sheet 501 structured as described above,the ink receiving layer 511 is laminated on the surface of the surfacesheet 10 a not facing the support sheet 20 a on which the informationdisplay area 2 is provided, and therefore when information is printed onan information display area 2 using an ink-jet printer, it is possibleto print the information clearly on the information display area 2.

A method of manufacturing the above described audio message transfersheet 501 will be explained below.

FIGS. 14 a to 14 f illustrate a method of manufacturing the audiomessage transfer sheet 501 shown in FIGS. 13 a to 13 c.

First, the ink receiving layer 511 as shown in FIG. 14 b is superimposedon the surface sheet 10 a as shown in FIG. 14 a. When the surface sheet10 a is cut from continuous forms paper into single sheets, if the inkreceiving layer 511 is superimposed on the surface sheet 10 a ofcontinuous forms paper, the ink receiving layer 511 can be easilysuperimposed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14 c, holes of 0.1 mm in diameter are formed inthe surface sheet 10 a on which the ink receiving layer 511 issuperimposed through laser beam machining as described above to providean audio output area 4.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14 d, an audio informationrecording/reproducing section 30 is sandwiched between two supportsheets 20 a, 20 b.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14 e, the support sheets 20 a, 20 b between whichthe audio information recording/reproducing section 30 is sandwiched arefurther sandwiched between the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b.

This completes an audio message transfer sheet with no informationprinted on the surface of the surface sheet 10 a, and then as shown inFIG. 14 f, a playback button 3 is printed on the surface sheet 10 a onwhich the ink receiving layer 511 is superimposed and information isprinted on the information display area 2 using an ink-jet printer.

This embodiment has explained the case where the ink receiving layer 511is superimposed on the surface sheet 10 a of the audio message transfersheet 1 shown in the first embodiment as an example, but it is alsopossible to superimpose the ink receiving layer 511 on the surface sheet10 b of the audio message transfer sheet 1 or it is also possible tosuperimpose the ink receiving layer 511 only on the surface sheet 10 aor on the surface sheets 10 a, 10 b of the audio message transfer sheetshown in the above described second to fifth embodiments.

In the inventions shown in the above described first to sixthembodiments, the audio information recording/reproducing means capableof recording/reproducing audio information has a sheet-like structure,and of the areas of the two support sheets between which the audioinformation recording/reproducing means is sandwiched from front andback, bonded together, facing the audio informationrecording/reproducing means, the audio information recording/reproducingmeans is sandwiched from front and back between only portions of thoseareas, and therefore the sheet can be easily bent or folded andinformation can be printed on the surface sheet.

Furthermore, when the two support sheets have the same outside shapes asthose of the surface sheets, the thickness of the entire audio messagetransfer sheet can be made substantially uniform.

Furthermore, when the two support sheets are each divided into aplurality of portions, it is possible to increase the degree of freedomin bending and folding the audio message transfer sheet.

Furthermore, when the two support sheets are connected together along abend line, the two support sheets can be easily aligned with each other.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the audio informationoutputting means provided on the audio information recording/reproducingmeans for outputting audio information is constructed of apiezo-electric element for outputting audio information, a film sheethaving a larger diameter than that of the piezo-electric element, pastedto one surface of the piezo-electric element and a diaphragm having ahole with a diameter larger than the diameter of the piezo-electricelement and smaller than the diameter of the film sheet, pasted to thefilm sheet so that the piezo-electric element fits into the hole,wherein the diaphragm is bonded to the support sheets only in the areanot bonded to the film sheet of the surface of bonding with the filmsheet, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the area in which theaudio information outputting means is provided from increasing and causethe audio information outputting means to be fixed without being bondedto the surface sheet and thereby prevent vibration of the piezo-electricelement and diaphragm from being interfered.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that two support sheetssandwich the audio information recording/reproducing means around theoperating means and the audio information recording/reproducing means ismounted on one support sheet in the area where the operating means isprovided, if the height of the operating means is smaller than thethickness of the support sheet, the operating means is surrounded by thesupport sheet whose thickness is greater than the height of theoperating means, which makes it possible to avoid the operating meansfrom being operated when a force majeure is applied from outside.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that an ink receiving layer issuperimposed on the surface not facing at least one support sheet of thetwo surface sheets, if information is printed on the surface sheet usingan ink-jet printer later, it is possible to clearly print information onthe surface sheet.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that this ink receiving layeris superimposed on the surface sheet before the support sheets betweenwhich the audio information recording/reproducing means is sandwichedare sandwiched between the surface sheets, it is possible to superimposethe ink receiving layer with excellent flatness of the surface sheetsand when the surface sheet is cut from continuous forms paper intosingle pieces, the ink receiving layer is superimposed on the surfacesheet of the continuous forms paper, facilitating the superimposition ofthe ink receiving layer.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 15 a is a plan view of an audio information output sheet accordingto a seventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 b illustratesan inner structure of the audio information output sheet shown in FIG.15 a and FIG. 15 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shownin FIG. 15 a. Furthermore, FIG. 16 illustrates a laminated structure ofthe audio information output sheet 1 shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 c.

As shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 c and FIG. 16, this embodiment isconstructed in such a way that a sheet-like audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1030 capable of recording/reproducingaudio information is sandwiched between two support sheets 1020 a, 1020b made of a flexible, thin base material such as paper base material,the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b between which the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1030 is sandwiched are sandwiched betweentwo surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 b made of a flexible, thin base materialsuch as paper base material and the sheets can be folded along the areasin which bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b of the surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 bare provided as bend lines. The surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 b, supportsheets 1020 a, 1020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 1030 are bonded to one another through adhesive work applied tothe front and back of the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b. This adhesioncan be realized by pasting a double-faced tape to the front and back ofthe support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b or applying a hot-melt type adhesivethereto.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 1030 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information output section 1040 foroutputting recorded audio information, an audio substrate 1032 mountedwith a thin IC chip 1034 which is an audio information recording sectionfor recording audio information and a thin switch 1033 which is operatedto output the audio information recorded in the IC chip 1034 from theaudio information output section 1040, and flexible paper batteries 1031connected to the audio substrate 1032 for supplying power to the audiosubstrate 1032 and a connection substrate 1036 made of a polyimide filmon which a wiring pattern 1037 for connecting the IC chip 1034 and theaudio information output section 1040 is formed, and the audio substrate1032 is further provided with connection terminals 1035 forinputting/outputting audio information to/from the IC chip 1034 from/tooutside. In this way, the audio information recording/reproducingsection 1030 has a sheet-like structure. Here, the audio substrate 1032is a flexible, thin substrate made of fiberglass reinforced plastics(FRP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc.,with the IC chip 1034 bonded thereto by means of anisotropic/conductiveadhesive (ACP), anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding. Aconnection substrate 1036 is not limited to one made up of a polyimidefilm but any film made of resin such as PET having at least flexibilitycan be used.

Furthermore, when superimposed on the surface sheet 1010 a, the supportsheet 1020 a is divided into two portions through the area facing thebend line 1015 a and when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1030, holes 1021 a, 1022, 1023, 1024 a areformed in the areas facing the paper batteries 1031, switch 1033, ICchip 1034 and audio information output section 1040 respectively.Furthermore, when superimposed on the surface sheet 1010 b, the supportsheet 1020 b is divided into two portions through the area facing thebend line 1015 b and when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1030, holes 1021 b, 1024 b are formed inthe areas facing the paper batteries 1031 and audio information outputsection 1040 respectively.

Furthermore, the connection substrate 1036 for connecting the IC chip1034 and audio information output section 1040 is provided sandwichedbetween the divided areas of the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b.

FIG. 17 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 1020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 1030 shown in FIGS.15 b, 15 c and FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 b illustrates a laminated structureof the support sheet 1020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 1030 shown in FIGS. 15 b, 15 c and FIG. 16.

As shown in FIG. 17 a, the hole 1021 a formed in the area of the supportsheet 1020 a facing the paper batteries 1031 is smaller than the paperbatteries 1031 and the hole 1022 formed in the area facing the switch1033 is greater than the switch 1033, the hole 1023 formed in the areafacing the IC chip 1034 is greater than the IC chip 1034 and the hole1024 a formed in the area facing the audio information output section1040 is greater than the audio information output section 1040.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17 b, the hole 1021 b formed in the areaof the support sheet 1020 b facing the paper batteries 1031 is smallerthan the paper batteries 1031 and the hole 1024 b formed in the areafacing the audio information output section 1040 is smaller than theaudio information output section 1040.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 1030 islaminated so that only part thereof is sandwiched between the twosupport sheets 1020 a, 1020 b from front and back and fixed throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 1020a, 1020 b.

Furthermore, of the two surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 b, the surface sheet1010 a facing the switch 1033 and IC chip 1034 through the holes 1022,1023 of the support sheet 1020 a is provided with an information displayarea 1002 where address information, etc., is printed when this audiomessage transfer sheet 1001 is used, for example, as a business card andthe area facing the switch 1033 through the hole 1022 of the supportsheet 1020 a is provided with a playback button 1003 for operating theswitch 1033. Furthermore, in the area facing the audio informationoutput section 1040 through the hole 1024 a of the support sheet 1020 a,an audio output area 1004 made up of an array of fine holes foroutputting audio output from the audio information output section 1040is formed and the area where the audio output area 1004 is formed isfoldable along the bend line 1015 a with respect to the other areas.Even when the front and back of the audio information output section1040 are covered with the surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 b, the formationof the audio output area 1004 made up of an array of fine holes cancompensate for a reduction of sound volume output from the audioinformation output section 1040. In the audio output area 1004, holes of0.1 mm in diameter are formed horizontally and vertically at intervalsof 1.5 mm through laser beam machining.

A method of use of the audio information output sheet 1001 structured asdescribed above will be explained below.

FIG. 18 a illustrates the audio information output sheet 1001 shown inFIGS. 15 a to 15 c and FIG. 16 not in use and FIG. 18 b illustrates theaudio information output sheet 1001 shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 c and FIG.16 in use.

When the audio information output sheet 1001 shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 cand FIG. 16 is not in use, the audio information output sheet 1001 isfolded along the bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b as shown in FIG. 18 a. Inthis condition, the area of the audio information output section 1040 ofthe audio information recording/reproducing section 1030 sandwichedbetween the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b and the surfaces sheet 1010 a,1010 b is folded along the bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b with respect to theother areas, and if the size of the audio information output sheet 1001in this condition is assumed to be a business card size, it is possibleto insert the folded audio information output sheet 1001 into a businesscard case, etc., and thereby improve portability. Furthermore, in thiscondition, the audio output area 1004 provided on the surface sheet 1010a is not exposed to output the audio output from the audio informationoutput section 1040 to outside. Furthermore, since the IC chip 1034 andthe audio information output section 1040 are connected by a wiringpattern 1037 formed on the connection substrate 1036 sandwiched betweenthe divided areas of the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b, even if theaudio information output sheet 1001 can be folded along the foldedsections 1015 a, 1015 b, it is possible to avoid the wiring between theIC chip 1034 and the audio information output section 1040 from beingbroken. Furthermore, when the audio information output sheet 1001 isfolded as shown in FIG. 18 a, if the spacing between the divided areasof the support sheet 1020 a, 1020 b is adjusted to be equal to orgreater than the distance between the surface sheets 1010 b which becomeoutside in the folded section, that is, at least twice the thickness ofthe audio information output sheet 1001, it is possible to keep thefolding state.

When the audio information output sheet 1001 shown in FIGS. 15 a to 15 cand FIG. 16 is in use, as shown in FIG. 18 b, when the folded audioinformation output sheet 1001 is opened and the playback button 1003 ispressed, the audio information recorded in the IC chip 1034 of the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 1030 is output from the audioinformation output section 1040. Here, in this condition, the audiooutput area 1004 provided in the surface sheet 1010 a is exposed tooutput the audio output from the audio information output section 1040to outside. Furthermore, if the audio information output sheet 1001 iskept open so that the adjoining areas form a certain angle along thebend line 1015 a as shown in FIG. 18 b, it is possible to output audioinformation with the audio information output sheet 1001 placed on adesk, etc.

In this way, the audio information output sheet 1001 is folded when notin use and the audio information output sheet 1001 is opened and audioinformation is output when the audio information output sheet 1001 is inuse, so that it is possible to miniaturize the card while securing thesound volume of audio information output.

According to this embodiment, only the area of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1030 in which the audio information outputsection 1040 is sandwiched between the support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b andsurface sheets 1010 a, 1010 b is foldable with respect to the otherareas, but it is also possible to adopt a structure that the area of theaudio information recording/reproducing section 1030 in which the audioinformation output section 1040 and part of the area other than theaudio information output section 1040 are sandwiched is foldable withrespect to the other areas. In that case, if the audio substrate 1032 ismade up of a polyimide film as in the case of the connection substrate1036, even if it is sandwiched between the surface sheets 1010 a, 1010 band support sheets 1020 a, 1020 b so that the audio substrate 1032 spansthe bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b, it is possible to secure durability withrespect to the folding operation of the audio information output sheet1001 along the bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the playback button 1003which is pressed to output audio information recorded in the IC chip1034 from the audio information output section 1040 is provided at sucha position that the playback button 1003 is exposed even when the audioinformation output sheet 1001 is folded along the bend lines 1015 a,1015 b, but it is also possible to provide the playback button 1003 inthe area of the surface sheet 1010 a where the playback button 1003 isnot exposed when the audio information output sheet 1001 is folded alongthe bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b. In that case, it is possible to preventthe playback button 1003 from being pressed when the audio informationoutput sheet 1001 is folded along the bend lines 1015 a, 1015 b andavoid unnecessary consumption of the paper batteries 1031.

Furthermore, it is also possible to make the audio information outputsection 1040 function as a microphone for inputting audio informationand record audio information in the IC chip 1034 through the audioinformation output section 1040. However, in that case, the audiosubstrate 1032 needs to be provided with a switch (not shown) forinputting audio information through the audio information output section1040.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 19 a is a plan view of an audio information output sheet accordingto an eighth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 b illustratesan inner structure of the audio information output sheet 1101 shown inFIG. 19 a and FIG. 19 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′shown in FIG. 19 a.

As shown in FIGS. 19 a to 19 c, this embodiment differs from the seventhembodiment in that two audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 bare connected to an audio substrate 1032 through wiring patterns 1037 a,1037 b formed on connection substrates 1036 a, 1036 b and the areaswhere the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 b aresandwiched between support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b and surface sheets 1110a, 1110 b are foldable along bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a with respect tothe other area. The support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b are also divided intothree areas through areas facing the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a providedon the surface sheet 1110 a as in the case of the seventh embodiment.

A method of use of the audio information output sheet 1101 structured asdescribed above will be explained below.

FIG. 20 a illustrates the audio information output sheet 1101 shown inFIGS. 19 a to 19 c not in use and FIG. 20 b illustrates the audioinformation output sheet 1101 shown in FIGS. 19 a to 19 c in use.

When the audio information output sheet 1101 shown in FIGS. 19 a to 19 cis not in use, the audio information output sheet 1101 is folded alongthe bend lines 1105 a, 1105 b, 1115 a, 1115 b as shown in FIG. 20 a. Inthis condition, the areas of the audio information recording/reproducingsection 1130 in which the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140b are sandwiched between the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b and surfacesheets 1110 a, 1110 b are folded along the bend lines 1105 a, 1105 b,1115 a, 1115 b with respect to the other area and if the size of theaudio information output sheet 1101 in this condition is assumed to be abusiness card size, the folded audio information output sheet 1101 canbe inserted in a business card case, etc., which improves portability.Furthermore, in this condition, the audio output areas 1104 a, 1104 bprovided on the surface sheet 1110 a to output audio output from theaudio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 b to the outside are notexposed. Furthermore, in this condition, the playback button 1003 whichis pressed to output audio information recorded in the IC chip 1034 fromthe audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 b is not exposed, andtherefore the playback button 1003 is not pressed mistakenly, whichavoids unnecessary consumption of the paper batteries 1031.

Furthermore, when the audio information output sheet 1101 shown in FIGS.19 a to 19 c is used, by opening the folded audio information outputsheet 1101 as shown in FIG. 20 b and pressing the playback button 1003,audio information recorded in the IC chip 1034 of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 1130 is output from the audio informationoutput sections 1140 a, 1140 b. In this condition, the audio outputareas 1104 a, 1104 b provided on the surface sheet 1110 a to outputaudio output from the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 bto outside are exposed. Furthermore, when the audio information outputsheet 1101 is kept open so that the adjoining areas form a predeterminedangle along the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a as shown in FIG. 20 b, it ispossible to output audio information with the audio information outputsheet 1101 placed on a desk, etc.

In this way, this embodiment adopts a structure foldable three foldalong the bend lines 1105 a, 1105 b, and therefore it is possible towidely secure areas to which audio information is output with respect tothe size in the folded state and thereby realize a large sound volume.

In this embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a structure that thearea of the audio information recording/reproducing section 1130 inwhich the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 b and part ofareas other than the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 bare sandwiched is made foldable with respect to the other area. In thatcase, if the audio substrate 1032 is made up of a polyimide film, evenwhen the audio substrate 1032 is sandwiched between the surface sheets1110 a, 1110 b and support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b so that the audiosubstrate 1032 spans the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a, it is possible tosecure durability with regard to the folding operation of the audioinformation output sheet 1101 along the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a.

Furthermore, it is also possible to make audio information pieces outputfrom the audio information output sections 1140 a, 1140 b different fromeach other. In this way, it is possible to listen to informationrecorded in the IC chip 1034 as stereophonic broadcast, for example.

Furthermore, this embodiment is provided with two audio informationoutput sections 1140 a, 1140 b, but the number of the audio informationoutput sections 1140 a, 1140 b is not limited to two. In that case, atleast one audio information output section is made foldable three foldamong the two areas sandwiched between the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 band surface sheets 1110 a,1110 b and the other area. For example, it ispossible to adopt a three-fold structure with four audio informationoutput sections provided, with two areas formed with two sets of audioinformation output sections sandwiched between the support sheets 1120a, 1120 b and surface sheets 1110 a, 1110 b and the other area. In thiscase, too, by adopting a structure that different pieces of audioinformation are output to two areas, it is possible to listen toinformation recorded in the IC chip 1034 as stereophonic broadcast, forexample.

Furthermore, instead of limiting to a three-fold foldable structure aswith this embodiment, it is also possible to provide areas foldablealong bend lines in areas adjoining the audio output areas 1104 a, 1104b along the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a, that is, areas where the audiosubstrate 1032 is sandwiched in the upper or lower part in the figure.In that case, too, the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b sandwiched betweenthe surface sheets 1110 a, 1110 b are preferably divided along bendlines, but in that case, too, if the spacing between the divided areasof the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b is adjusted to be equal to orgreater than the distance between the surface sheets 1110 b which becomeoutside in the folded section when the audio information output sheet1101 is folded, it is possible to keep the folding state. For example,when areas which are foldable along bend lines are provided in the upperand lower parts in the figure of the area adjoining the audio outputareas 1104 a, 1104 b along the bend lines 1105 a, 1115 a are provided,the audio information output sheet 1101 is folded as shown in FIG. 20 afirst, and then the above described areas in the upper and lower partsare folded, if the spacing between the areas adjoining along the bendlines 1105 a, 1115 a of the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 b is adjusted tobe equal to or greater than twice the thickness of the audio informationoutput sheet 1101 and the spacing between the area in which the audiosubstrate 1032 is sandwiched between the support sheets 1120 a, 1120 band areas constituting the upper and lower parts thereof is adjusted tobe at least three times the thickness of the audio information outputsheet 1101, it is possible to keep the folding state.

Furthermore, according to the seventh and eighth embodiments, thesupport sheets are divided along the bend line, but the support sheetscan also be made of an easily foldable material so that the supportsheets are not divided.

According to the invention shown in the seventh and eighth embodiments,the area of the audio information recording/reproducing means in whichat least the audio information output section is incorporated is madefoldable along bend lines and the area in which the audio informationoutput section is incorporated is folded with respect to the other areaso as to realize miniaturization, and therefore it is not necessary toreduce the size of the audio information output section and it ispossible to realize miniaturization while securing a predetermined soundvolume.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the audio informationrecording/reproducing means is made of a sheet-like base material, twosupport sheets are bonded together with the audio informationrecording/reproducing means sandwiched in between from front and back,the two support sheets are divided along bend lines and the audioinformation recording/reproducing means is sandwiched from front andback in only some of the areas facing the audio informationrecording/reproducing means, it is possible to improve flatness of thesurface irrespective of the foldable structure and thereby facilitateprinting of information on the surface sheet.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the spacing between thedivided areas of the support sheets when the audio information outputsheet is folded is equal to or greater than the distance between thesurface sheets which become the outside in the folded section of the twosurface sheets, it is possible to keep the folding state when the audioinformation output sheet is folded along the bend line.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the audio informationrecording/reproducing means includes a plurality of audio informationoutput sections and a plurality of areas each incorporating at least oneaudio information output section are made foldable along bend lines withrespect to the other area, it is possible to increase a sound volume ofaudio information output without increasing the size of the audioinformation output sheet in the folding state.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 21 a is a plan view of a POP indicator 2001 according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 21 b illustrates an innerstructure of the POP indicator 2001 shown in FIG. 21 a. Furthermore,FIG. 22 illustrates a laminated structure of the POP indicator 2001shown in FIGS. 21 a, 21 b.

As shown in FIGS. 21 a, 21 b and FIG. 22, this embodiment is constructedin such a way that a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducingsection 2030 capable of recording/reproducing audio information issandwiched between two support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b made of a flexible,thin base material such as paper base material and the support sheets2020 a, 2020 b between which the audio information recording/reproducingsection 2030 is sandwiched are further sandwiched between a surfacesheet 2010 a and a back sheet 2010 b having the same outside shapes asthose of the support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b, made of a flexible, thinbase material such as paper base material. Furthermore, a mountingmember 2005 for mounting the POP indicator 2001 on an object such as ashowcase is provided. The surface sheet 2010 a, back sheet 2010 b,support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b and audio informationrecording/reproducing section 2030 are mutually bonded through adhesivework applied to the front and back of the support sheets 2020 a, 2020 bwhereby the audio information recording/reproducing section 2030 ispasted to the surface of the surface sheet 2010 a. This adhesive workcan be realized by pasting a double-faced tape to the front and back ofthe support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b or applying a hot-melt type adhesivethereto. Furthermore, some areas of the surface sheet 2010 a, back sheet2010 b, support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b and audio informationrecording/reproducing section 2030 protrude from other areas.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 2030 isconstructed of an audio substrate 2032 mounted with an IC chip 2034which is audio information recording means and a switch 2033 which isoperating means, an audio information output section 2040 and threepaper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c and the area of the audio substrate2032 on which the switch 2033 is mounted protrudes from the other area.

The IC chip 2034 is designed to record audio information and the audioinformation output section 2040 is designed to output the audioinformation recorded in the IC chip 2034 when the switch 2033 ispressed. Furthermore, the three paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c areconnected in series by means of an anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP)or anisotropic/conductive film (ACF), both ends of which are connectedto the audio substrate 2032 to serve as a power supply section to supplypower to the audio substrate 2032.

Furthermore, the audio substrate 2032 is provided with connectionterminals 2035 for inputting audio information to the IC chip 2034 fromoutside and is a flexible, thin substrate made of fiberglass reinforcedplastics (FRP), polyimide or lead frame, etc., with the IC chip 2034connected thereto by means of an anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP),anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding.

Furthermore, the support sheet 2020 a is made of a thin base materialand the thickness thereof is set according to the required durability asappropriate and when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 2030, holes 2021 a, 2022, 2023, 2024 a areformed in the areas facing the paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c, switch2033, IC chip 2034 and audio information output section 2040 and thearea in which the hole 2022 is formed protrudes from the other areas.

Furthermore, the support sheet 2020 b is made of a thin base material,but the thickness thereof is set according to the required durability asappropriate and when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 2030, holes 2021 b, 2024 b are formed inthe areas facing the paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c and audioinformation output section 2040 and the area facing the switch 2033through the audio substrate 2032 protrudes from the other areas.

FIG. 23 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 2020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 2030 shown in FIG.22 b and FIG. 23 and FIG. 23 b illustrates a laminated structure of thesupport sheet 2020 b and audio information recording/reproducing section2030 shown in FIG. 22 b and FIG. 23.

As shown in FIG. 23 a, the size of the hole 2021 a formed in the area ofthe support sheet 2020 a facing the paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c issmaller than the size of three paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 cconnected, the hole 2022 formed in the area facing the switch 2033 isgreater than the switch 2033, the hole 2023 formed in the area facingthe IC chip 2034 is greater than the IC chip 2034 and the hole 2024 aformed in the area facing the audio information output section 2040 isgreater than the audio information output section 2040.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23 b, the size of the hole 2021 b formedin the area of the support sheet 2020 b facing the paper batteries 2050a to 2050 c is smaller than the three paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 cconnected and the hole 2024 b formed in the area facing the audioinformation output section 2040 is smaller than the audio informationoutput section 2040.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 2030 islaminated so that only part thereof is sandwiched between the twosupport sheets 2020 a, 2020 b from the front and back of the sheet andfixed through adhesive work applied to the front and back of the supportsheets 2020 a, 2020 b.

Furthermore, the surface sheet 2010 a is provided with an informationdisplay area 2002 on which advertisement information is printed as aPOP, a playback button 2003 for operating the switch 2033 is provided inthe area of the support sheet 2020 a facing the switch 2033 through thehole 2022, an audio output area 2004 made up of an array of fine holesfor outputting audio output from the audio information output section2040 is formed in the area facing the audio information output section2040 through the hole 2024 a of the support sheet 2020 a. Since theaudio output area 2004 is formed with such an array of fine holes, it ispossible to compensate for a reduction of sound volume output from theaudio information output section 2040 even when the front and back ofthe audio information output section 2040 are covered with the surfacesheet 2010 a and back sheet 2010 b. In the audio output area 2004, holesof 0.1 mm in diameter are formed horizontally and vertically atintervals of 1.5 mm through laser beam machining. Therefore, unlikepunching or perforation using needles, etc., no burrs are formed and theholes are never clogged with burrs and the audio output area 2004 canalso print advertisement information as a POP. Furthermore, when theaudio information recording/reproducing section 2030 is sandwiched, thesurface sheet 2010 a and back sheet 2010 b are shaped so that the areain which the switch 2033 is incorporated protrudes from the other areas.Furthermore, if the surface sheet 2010 a is made of synthetic papersuitable for printing such as foam PET (polyethylene terephthalate), itis possible not only to print advertisement information as a POP on thesurface sheet 2010 a but also to improve durability of the surface sheet2010 a. Especially in the area provided with the playback button 2003,the surface sheet 2010 a may degrade when the playback button 2003 ispressed, but using synthetic paper can suppress the degradation of thesurface sheet 2010 a. Furthermore, if all the surface sheet 2010 a, backsheet 2010 b and support sheets 2020 a, 2020 b are likewise made ofsynthetic paper, it is possible to improve watertightness of the entirePOP indicator 2001.

The POP indicator 2001 structured as described above is used by beinghung from a showcase, etc., using a mounting member 2005. Advertisementinformation is printed as a POP on the information display area 2002allowing a visitor to a shop at which the POP indicator 2001 is mountedto visually recognize the advertisement information. Furthermore, whenthe visitor presses the playback button 2003, audio information recordedin the IC chip 2034 is reproduced and output from the audio informationoutput section 2040 through the audio output area 2004. Therefore, if,for example, information on products displayed on the showcase iswritten in the IC chip 2034 beforehand, the POP indicator 2001 is hungfrom the showcase using the mounting member 2005, when the visitorpresses the playback button 2003, the information on the productdisplayed on the showcase from which the POP indicator 2001 is hung isoutput as audio from the audio information output section 2040 throughthe audio output area 2004. The visitor can recognize information on theproduct, etc., as audio information. In addition, it is also possible torecord information such as quiz and music in the IC chip 2034 and outputthis information from the audio information output section 2040 when theplayback button 2003 is pressed. Furthermore, since the amount ofinformation recorded in the IC chip 2034 is greater than the amount ofinformation printed on the information display area 2002, it is possibleto provide a large amount of information for the visitor.

The paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c incorporated in the above describedPOP indicator 2001 will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 24 a is a plan view of the structure of the paper batteries 2050 ato 2050 c shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG. 22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b, FIG. 24 b isa cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 24 a and FIG.24 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 24 a.

As shown in FIGS. 24 a, 24 b, the paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c ofthis embodiment each have a positive electrode layer 2051 made ofmanganese dioxide, etc., and a negative electrode layer 2052 made ofzinc, etc., laminated together through a gel electrolytic layer 2053. Aprotective film 2056 made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc.,coated with conductive ink 2054 is superimposed on the positiveelectrode layer 2051 side and a protective film 2057 made of PET, etc.,coated with conductive ink 2055 is superimposed on the negativeelectrode layer 2052 side. Furthermore, the protective film 2056 coatedwith the conductive ink 2054 includes a protruding area 2058 whichprotrudes from the outside shape of the positive electrode layer 2051,negative electrode layer 2052 and electrolytic layer 2053, andprotective film 2057 coated with the conductive ink 2055 includes aprotruding area 2059 which protrudes from the outside shape of thepositive electrode layer 2051, negative electrode layer 2052 andelectrolytic layer 2053, and these protruding areas 2058, 2059 protrudefrom the outside shapes of the positive electrode layer 2051, negativeelectrode layer 2052 and electrolytic layer 2053 in areas different fromone other. Here, since the conductive inks 2054, 2055 are coated on thepositive electrode layer 2051 side and negative electrode layer 2052side of the protective films 2056, 2057 respectively, the surfaces ofthe protruding areas 2058, 2059 from which the conductive inks 2054,2055 are exposed are different from each other.

In the paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c structured as described above,the conductive ink 2054 coated on the protective film 2056 iselectrically continuous with the positive electrode layer 2051, andtherefore the conductive ink 2054 in the protruding area 2058constitutes a positive electrode and the conductive ink 2055 coated onthe protective film 2057 is electrically continuous with the negativeelectrode layer 2052, and therefore the conductive ink 2055 in theprotruding area 2059 constitutes a negative electrode.

FIG. 25 illustrates the three paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c shown inFIGS. 24 a to 24 c connected in series as shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG. 22and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b.

As shown in FIG. 25, the three paper batteries 2050 a to 2050 c areconnected in such a way that the paper battery 2050 a and paper battery2050 b are superimposed together with the conductive ink 2055 in theprotruding area 2059 of the paper battery 2050 a facing the conductiveink 2054 in the protruding area 2058 of the paper battery 2050 b, andthe paper battery 2050 b and the paper battery 2050 c are superimposedtogether with the conductive ink 2055 in the protruding area 2059 of thepaper battery 2050 b facing the conductive ink 2054 in the protrudingarea 2058 of the paper battery 2050 c. In this way, the three paperbatteries 2050 a to 2050 c are connected in series with the conductiveink 2054 in the protruding area 2058 of the paper battery 2050 aconstituting a positive electrode and the conductive ink 2055 in theprotruding area 2059 of the paper battery 2050 c constituting a negativeelectrode.

FIGS. 26 a, 26 b illustrate how the audio substrate 2032 shown in FIG.21 b, FIG. 22 and FIGS. 23 a, 23 b is connected to the paper batteries2050 a to 2050 c shown in FIG. 25.

As shown in FIGS. 26 a, 26 b, a land 2031 a which serves as a firstconductive area to be connected to the conductive ink 2054 in theprotruding area 2058 of the paper battery 2050 a is formed on thesurface of the audio substrate 2032 shown in FIG. 21 b, FIG. 22 andFIGS. 23 a, 23 b and the land 2031 a is connected to the IC chip 2034through a wiring pattern 2037 a. Furthermore, a land 2031 b which servesas a second conductive area to be connected to the conductive ink 2055in the protruding area 2059 of the paper battery 2050 c is formed on theback of the audio substrate 2032 and the land 2031 b is connected to athrough hole 2036 through a wiring pattern 2037 b and this through hole2036 is connected to IC chip 2034.

In this way, power is supplied to the audio substrate 2032 from thepower supply section which consists of the three paper batteries 2050 ato 2050 c connected in series.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 27 a is a plan view of a POP indicator 2101 according to a tenthembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 27 b illustrates an innerstructure of the POP indicator 2101 shown in FIG. 27 a.

As shown in FIGS. 27 a, 27 b, this embodiment provides a mounting member2005 below the component of the POP indicator 2101 shown in FIGS. 21 a,21 b and provides a playback button 2003 in the upper part of thecomponent of the POP indicator 2101. The rest of the structure and thecorresponding inner structure are the same as those described above.

Being constructed as described above, the POP indicator 2101 in thisembodiment is mounted using the mounting member 2005 for use so that thecomponent of the POP indicator 2101 is placed above the surface of theshowcase as opposed to the POP indicator 2001 shown in FIGS. 21 a, 21 bwhich is hung from the showcase using the mounting member 2005 for use.

In the above described ninth and tenth embodiments, the area providedwith the switch 2033 of the audio substrate 2032 protrudes from theother areas of the surface sheet 2010 a, back sheet 2010 b, supportsheets 2020 a, 2020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 2030, but the present invention is not limited to this and partof the surface sheet 2010 a, back sheet 2010 b, support sheets 2020 a,2020 b and audio information recording/reproducing section 2030 need notprotrude from the other areas.

Furthermore, the above described ninth and tenth embodiments haveexplained the POP indicator with advertisement information printed as aPOP on the information display area 2002 provided on the surface sheet2010 a as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to anindicator with advertisement information printed on the surface sheetwithout using the POP.

The invention shown in the above described ninth and tenth embodimentsis a POP indicator provided with at least a surface sheet on whichadvertisement information is written as a POP and a mounting member formounting the surface sheet on an object, which includes audioinformation recording/reproducing means capable of recording/reproducingaudio information pasted to the back of the surface sheet, records audioinformation in the audio information recording/reproducing means andallows this audio information to be reproduced by the operating means,and therefore if advertisement information is recorded in the audioinformation recording/reproducing means as audio information,advertisement information is visually recognized and also provided asaudio information, and it is thereby possible to attract attention ofconsumers and also include a large amount of advertisement information.Furthermore, the protrusion of this operating means and the surfacesheet in the area to which this operating means is pasted from otherareas facilitates operation of the operating means.

Furthermore, the surface sheet made of synthetic paper suitable forprinting not only allows advertisement information to be printed on thesurface sheet as a POP but also improves durability of the surfacesheet.

Furthermore, the power supply section which supplies power to the audioinformation recording/reproducing means consists of a plurality of paperbatteries made up of positive electrodes and negative electrodes exposedfrom different surfaces connected in series and the audio substrate onwhich the audio information recording/reproducing means is mounted andto which the power supply section is connected includes a firstconductive area which is connected to one of both electrodes of thepower supply section and a second conductive area connected to the otherelectrode of the power supply section formed on different surfaces, andtherefore the plurality of paper batteries and audio substrate need onlyto be connected at two points, making it possible to reducemanufacturing cost.

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG. 28 illustrates a sound information delivery apparatus according toan eleventh embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, FIG. 29 isan exploded view of a package of the sound information deliveryapparatus 3001 shown in FIG. 28. Furthermore, FIG. 30 illustrates thesound information delivery apparatus 3001 shown in FIG. 28 broken downinto a package, recording/reproducing means carrier and delivery slip.Furthermore, FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a delivery slip of thesound information delivery apparatus 3001 shown in FIG. 28.

The sound information delivery apparatus 3001 in this embodiment is acombination of an envelope-like package 3002, a thinrecording/reproducing means carrier 3003 and a delivery slip 3004. Asshown in FIG. 29, the package 3002 is shaped like an envelope consistingof a bottom sheet 3006 placed at bottom, a front sheet 3005 and a rearsheet 3007 placed facing each other, overlap widths 3009 connected toside sheets 3008 on both sides of the front sheet 3005 pasted to therear sheet 3007 with an opening 3010 formed at top for inserting anobject. Furthermore, a cover sheet 3012 which is connected to the rearsheet 3007 through a top sheet 3011 can be overlapped with the outsideof the front sheet 3005 and pasted thereto.

Furthermore, when the delivery slip 3004 is inserted in this package3002, delivery information described in a predetermined position of thedelivery slip 3004 is exposed. In order to expose the deliveryinformation of the delivery slip 3004 inserted in this way and visuallycheck the delivery information as required, a window 3014 is provided asshown in the figure which has dimensions to allow the entire deliveryinformation display section 3013 to be exposed in alignment with thedelivery information display section 3013 of the delivery slip 3004 onthe front sheet 3005 and the cover sheet 3012 which overlaps with thisfront sheet 3005.

A recording/reproducing means carrier 3 is pasted to the outer surfaceof the front sheet 3005 of this package 3002. This recording/reproducingmeans carrier 3003 is constructed of a paper material 3016 such as thickpaper with an opening 3015 provided at a position corresponding to thewindow 3014 with a built-in thin sound information recording/reproducingmeans 3017. This sound information recording/reproducing means 3017 isconstructed of a thin battery section 3018 such as paper battery, asound information input/output section 3019, switch sections 3020 and arecording/reproduction control section 3021. The recording/reproductioncontrol section 3021 is made up of an IC chip and when a predeterminedoperation set for recording is carried out on the switch sections 3020with power being supplied from the battery section 3018, therecording/reproduction control section 3021 records sound informationinput from the sound information input/output section 3019. Thisrecording is carried out on a memory incorporated in the IC chip. When apredetermined operation set for reproduction is carried out on theswitch sections 3020 with power being supplied from the battery section3018, the recording/reproduction control section 3021 operates the soundinformation input/output section 3019 to output the recorded soundinformation.

In this embodiment, it is preferable to use a dual-purpose thinmicrophone/speaker formed of a piezo-electric element, etc., as thesound information input/output section 3019. Furthermore, for the switchsections 3020, it is preferable to use a thin switch, for example, apressure-sensitive sensor type switch or a touch sensor type switch thatdetects capacitance. Furthermore, as the battery section 3018, it ispreferable to use a thin, flexible battery such as a lithium polymerbattery. Here, power may also be constantly supplied from the batterysection 3018 without depending on the operation of the switch section3020.

In this way, the sound information recording/reproducing means 3017 hasa simple and thin structure, and therefore when incorporated in thelayer of the paper material 3016, the sound informationrecording/reproducing means 3017 falls within the range of thickness ofthe paper material 3016 or slightly protrudes and since the soundinformation recording/reproducing means carrier 3003 in which it is setis of a low profile, the sound information delivery apparatus 3001itself becomes thin.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positions of the sound informationinput/output section 3019 and switch section 3020 of the soundinformation recording/reproducing means 3017 are printed and displayedon the cover 3012 where their respective sections come to the outermostsurface to facilitate the recording operation and reproducing operation.

The delivery slip 3004 is provided with a delivery information displaysection 3013 describing delivery information such as the senders addressand name and the receiver's address and name, etc., at the positions atwhich the delivery slip 3004 is exposed through the window 3014 of thepackage 3002 and the opening 3015 of the recording/reproducing meanscarrier 3003 When the delivery slip 3004 is placed inside the package3002. Furthermore, a notification information display section 3022 fornotifying information to the receiver of the sound information deliveryapparatus 3001 using characters, patterns, etc., is provided in adesired position of the area other than the delivery information displaysection 3013.

As shown in FIG. 31, in this delivery slip 3004, a sheet 3024 whichconstitutes an area other than the delivery information display section3013 is pasted to a mount 3023 in an inseparable manner and thenotification information display section 3022 is provided in this sheet3024. Furthermore, a sheet 3025 which constitutes the area of thedelivery information display section 3013 is placed next to the sheet3024 flush therewith through the surrounding notch 3026 and this sheet3025 is pasted to the mount 3023 in an inseparable manner and thedelivery information display section 3013 with the sender's address andname and the receiver's address and name, etc., printed thereon isconstructed on top of the sheet 3025 and in this way, the deliveryinformation display section 3013 is made detachable from the mount 3023.

To make the delivery information display section 3013 detachable, it ispossible to bond an upper sheet 3028 whose back is provided withprinting 3027 for adjusting a bonding force corresponding to the area ofthis delivery information display section 3013 to the mount 3023 throughan adhesive 3029 which makes it difficult to separate both sheets fromeach other and then provide the notch 3026. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this embodiment.

The delivery information display section 3013 has dimensions largeenough to be taken out through the window 3014 of the package 3002 andthe opening 3015 of the recording/reproducing means carrier 3003.Furthermore, as shown in the figure, this delivery information displaysection 3013 consists of a plurality of slips 3030 each functioning as adelivery slip or receipt arranged on the same surface with deliveryinformation corresponding to the function of each slip 3030 writtenthereon and is constructed in such a way that each slip 3030 can betaken out singly.

Since the sound information delivery apparatus 3001 is provided with thedelivery information display section 3013 which can be taken out asrequired, it can be delivered using an existing delivery system. In thisembodiment, the delivery information display section 3013 consists of aplurality of slips 3030, but this delivery information display section3013 may also consist of a single piece of paper.

Furthermore, the package 3002 can accommodate not only the delivery slip3004 so that this sound information delivery apparatus 3001 is deliveredusing an existing delivery system but also a thin article together withthe delivery slip 3004 at a position that does not prevent the deliveryinformation display section 3013 from being exposed, that is, on theback of the delivery slip 3004. An example of this thin article is amessage card 3031 attached to a photo as shown in the figure, but thethin article is not limited to this message card.

Furthermore, the package 3002 in this embodiment has such a structurethat the cover sheet 3012 overlaps with the entire surface of the frontsheet 3005, but it is also possible to adopt a sealable letter card typesheet which seals the opening 3010 by overlapping this cover sheet 3012only with the upper side of the front sheet 3005. Furthermore, the coversheet 3012 is pasted so as to overlap with the entire surface of thefront sheet 3005 or made into a sealable letter card type sheet tooverlap with the upper side of the front sheet 3005, but it is alsopossible to allow this cover sheet 3012 to overlap with the front sheetto close the opening so that it can be opened or closed instead ofbonding the cover sheet 3012 to the front sheet 3005.

Furthermore, the recording/reproducing means carrier 3003 is pasted tothe front of the front sheet 3005 of the package 3002, but when part ofthe sound information recording/reproducing means 3017 protrudes on theback of the recording/reproducing means carrier 3003, it is alsopossible to form an opening to avoid the protrusion of the soundinformation recording/reproducing means 3017 on the front sheet 3005.Furthermore, the recording/reproducing means carrier 3003 can also bestructured so as to be pasted to the inner surface of the front sheet3005 or housed in the package 3002.

Furthermore, if the receiver of the sound information delivery apparatus3001 hangs this sound information delivery apparatus 3001 on a wall,etc., this will further facilitate the reproduction operation, andtherefore it is also possible to provide a hook, etc., on the rear sheetto make wall-mounting easier.

Furthermore, the upper side of the envelope component 3002 is designatedas an opening for insertion, but one of the short lateral sides may alsobe designated as the opening for insertion. Furthermore, the presentinvention is not limited to the structure that part of the delivery slipis made separable as the delivery information display section, but it isalso possible to bind together a plurality of slips in a detachablemanner and adopt a duplicate type that delivery information written onthe top slip is simultaneously duplicated to lower slips. In this case,the position of the delivery information display section in each slipshould correspond to the position of the window as in the case of thisembodiment.

According to the invention shown in the above described eleventhembodiment, the delivery slip including delivery information is insertedin a package so that the delivery information can be visually checkedfrom outside and the package is provided with a recording/reproducingmeans carrier, and therefore it is possible to record audio in therecording/reproducing means and easily send a message with that audio asa present.

Furthermore, making the delivery information display section of thedelivery slip removable through the window of the package and theopening of the recording/reproducing means carrier makes the deliveryobject more suitable for an ordinary delivery system which performsdelivery based on the delivery information written on the deliveryinformation display section.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 32 a is a plan view of an audio message transfer sheet according toa twelfth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 32 b illustrates aninner structure of the audio message transfer sheet 4001 shown in FIG.32 a, FIG. 32 c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown inFIG. 32 a and FIG. 32 d is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′shown in FIG. 32 a. Furthermore, FIG. 33 illustrates a laminatedstructure of the audio message transfer sheet 4001 shown in FIGS. 32 ato 32 d.

As shown in FIGS. 32 a to 32 d and FIG. 33, this embodiment isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducingsection 4030 capable of recording/reproducing audio informationsandwiched between two support sheets 4020 a, 4020 b made of a flexible,thin base material such as paper base material, the support sheets 4020a, 4020 b between which the audio information recording/reproducingsection 4030 is sandwiched are further sandwiched between two surfacesheets 4010 a, 4010 b made of a flexible, thin base material such aspaper base material having the same outside shapes as those of thesupport sheets 4020 a, 4020 b and a sheet-like conductive member 4050inserted in a detachable manner between part of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 4030 and support sheet 4020 a. The surfacesheets 4010 a, 4010 b, support sheets 4020 a, 4020 b and audioinformation recording/reproducing section 4030 are bonded to one anotherthrough adhesive work applied to the front and back of the supportsheets 4020 a, 4020 b. Furthermore, one surface of the conductive member4050 is bonded to the support sheet 4020 a through the adhesive work.This adhesive work can be realized, for example, by pasting adouble-faced tape to the front and back of the support sheets 4020 a,4020 b or applying a hot-melt type adhesive thereto.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 4030 isprovided with a sheet-like audio information input/output section 4040made up of a piezo-electric element (not shown) or diaphragm (not shown)for inputting/outputting audio information, an audio substrate 4032mounted with a thin IC chip 4034 provided with a memory area which is astorage area for recording audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 4040, circuit elements such as acapacitor and resistor and a first switch 4033 a and a second switch4033 b, flexible paper batteries 4031 connected to the audio substrate4032 for supplying power to the audio substrate 4032, and the audiosubstrate 4032 is further provided with connection terminals 4035 forinputting audio information to the IC chip 4034 from outside oroutputting audio information recorded in the IC chip 4034 to outside. Inthis way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 4030 has asheet-like structure. Here, the audio substrate 4032 is a flexible, thinsubstrate made of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., with the IC chip4034 bonded thereto by means of anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP),anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding. Furthermore, the ICchip 4034 controls recording of audio information input through theaudio information input/output section 4040 in the memory area andoutputting of audio information recorded in the memory area through theaudio information input/output section 4040. Furthermore, the firstswitch 4033 a is operated to output audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 4034 through the audio informationinput/output section 4040 and the second switch 4033 b is operated torecord audio information input through the audio informationinput/output section 4040 in the memory area of the IC chip 4034.

Furthermore, the support sheet 4020 a is provided with holes 4021 a,4022, 4023, 4024 a in areas facing the paper batteries 4031, switches4033 a, 4033 b, IC chip 4034 and audio information input/output section4040 respectively when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 4030, while the support sheet 4020 b isprovided with holes 4021 b, 4024 b in areas facing the paper batteries4031 and audio information input/output section 4040 respectively whensuperimposed on the audio information recording/reproducing section4030.

In this way, by forming the holes 4021 a, 4022, 4023, 4024 a in theareas of the support sheet 4020 a facing the paper batteries 4031,switches 4033 a, 4033 b, IC chip 4034 and audio information input/outputsection 4040 respectively and forming the holes 4021 b, 4024 b in theareas of the support sheet 4020 b facing the paper batteries 4031 andaudio information input/output section 4040 area, it is possible toreduce the difference in thickness between the areas where the paperbatteries 4031, switches 4033 a, 4033 b, IC chip 4034 and audioinformation input/output section 4040 are mounted and the other areas,thereby improve flatness of the surface sheets 4010 a, 4010 b andfacilitate printing of information on the surface sheets 4010 a, 4010 b.

FIG. 34 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 4020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 4030 shown in FIGS.32 a to 32 d and FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 b illustrates a laminated structureof the support sheet 4020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 4030 shown in FIGS. 32 a to 32 d and FIG. 33.

As shown in FIG. 34 a, the holes 4021 a formed in the areas of thesupport sheet 4020 a facing the paper batteries 4031 are smaller thanthe paper batteries 4031, the holes 4022 formed in the areas facing theswitches 4033 a, 4033 b include the switches 4033 a, 4033 b, the hole4023 formed in the area facing the IC chip 4034 is greater than the ICchip 4034 and the hole 4024 a formed in the area facing the audioinformation input/output section 4040 is greater than the audioinformation input/output section 4040.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 34 b, the hole 4021 b formed in the areaof the support sheet 4020 b facing the paper batteries 4031 is smallerthan the paper batteries 4031 and the hole 4024 b formed in the areafacing the audio information input/output section 4040 is smaller thanthe audio information input/output section 4040.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 4030 islaminated in such a way that only part thereof is sandwiched from frontand back between the two support sheets 4020 a, 4020 b and fixed throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 4020a, 4020 b.

Furthermore, of the two surface sheets 4010 a, 4010 b, the surface sheet4010 a facing the switches 4033 a, 4033 b and IC chip 4034 through theholes 4022, 4023 of the support sheet 4020 a is provided with aninformation display area 4002 where address information, etc., isprinted when this audio message transfer sheet 4001 is mailed, the areaof the support sheet 4020 afacing the switch 4033 a through the hole4022 is provided with a printed playback button 4003 a for operating theswitch 4033 a, the area of the support sheet 4020 a facing the switch4033 b through the hole 4022 is provided with a printed recording button4003 b for operating the switch 4033 b, and in the area of the supportsheet 4020 a facing the audio information output section 4040 throughthe hole 4024 a, an audio output area 4004 made up of an array of fineholes for outputting audio output from the audio information outputsection 4040 is formed. Even when the front and back of the audioinformation output section 4040 are covered with the surface sheets 4010a, 4010 b, the formation of the audio output area 4004 made up of anarray of fine holes can compensate for a reduction of sound volumeoutput from the audio information input/output section 4040. In theaudio output area 4004, holes of 0.1 mm in diameter are formedhorizontally and vertically at intervals of 1.5 mm through laser beammachining. Therefore, unlike punching or perforation using needles, etc.to make a hole, no burrs are formed and the holes are never clogged withburrs. Furthermore, in FIG. 32 a, though the information display area4002 is not provided in the audio output area 4004, informationincluding the playback button 4003 a and the recording button 4003 b isactually printed over the entire surface of the surface sheet 4010 a,and therefore the information display area 4002 may also be provided inthe audio output area 4004. Furthermore, instead of providing theplayback button 4003 a and the recording button 4003 b on the surfacesheet 4010 a by printing, it is also possible to paste a seal to theareas facing the switches 4033 a, 4033 b after information is printed onthe surface sheet 4010 a.

The operation of the above described audio message transfer sheet 4001during the audio information recording/reproducing operation will beexplained below.

FIG. 35 a illustrates a detailed structure of the audio substrate 4032shown in FIG. 32 b, FIG. 35 b is a cross-sectional view along the lineA-A′ of the switch 4033 a shown in FIG. 35 a when not operated, FIG. 35c is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ of the switch 4033 ashown in FIG. 35 a when operated, FIG. 35 d illustrates a structure ofthe back of the conductive member 4050 shown in FIG. 32 d and FIG. 35 eis a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 35 a.

As shown in FIG. 35 a, in this embodiment, a wiring pattern 4037 aconnected to the positive electrode of the paper batteries 4031 isformed on the audio substrate 4032 so as to extend to the lower parts ofthe switches 4033 a, 4033 b, and a wiring pattern 4037 b connected tothe port terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 4034 to which afirst instruction signal for outputting audio information recorded inthe memory area of the IC chip 4034 is input is formed on the audiosubstrate 4032 so as to extend to the lower part of the switch 4033 awithout touching the wiring pattern 4037 a. Furthermore, a wiringpattern 4037 c connected to the port terminal of the port terminals ofthe IC chip 4034 to which a second instruction signal for recording theaudio information input through the audio information input/outputsection 4040 in the memory area of the IC chip 4034 is input is formedon the audio substrate 4032 so as to extend to the lower part of theconductive member 4050 sandwiched between the audio substrate 4032 andsupport sheet 4020 a, and a wiring pattern 4037 d which extends from thelower part of the switch 4033 b to the lower part of the conductivemember 4050 is formed on the audio substrate.4032 so as not to touch thewiring patterns 4037 a, 4037 c. When the port terminal connected to thewiring pattern 4037 b becomes a power supply potential which is thepotential of the first instruction signal, the IC chip 4034 outputsaudio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 4034 andwhen the port terminal connected to the wiring pattern 4037 c becomes apower supply potential which is the potential of the second instructionsignal, the IC chip 4034 records the audio information input through theaudio information input/output section 4040 in the memory area of the ICchip 4034 as long as the port terminal connected to the wiring pattern4037 c is at the power supply potential.

In the audio message transfer sheet 4001 structured as described above,when the switch 4033 a is not pressed through the playback button 4003a, the wiring pattern 4037 a and the wiring pattern 4037 b formed on theaudio substrate 4032 are not electrically connected as shown in FIG. 35b. For this reason, the port terminal of the port terminals of the ICchip 4034 connected to the wiring pattern 4037 b, that is, the portterminal to which the first instruction signal for outputting the audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 4034 is input isleft open and the audio information recorded in the memory area of theIC chip 4034 is not output.

On the other hand, when the switch 4033 a is pressed through theplayback button 4003 a, the wiring pattern 4037 a and wiring pattern4037 bformed on the audio substrate 4032 are electrically connectedthrough a conductive agent 4036 applied to the back of the switch 4033 aas shown in FIG. 35 c. Since the wiring pattern 4037 a is connected tothe positive electrode of the paper batteries 4031, the port terminalconnected to the wiring pattern 4037 b, that is, the port terminal towhich the first instruction signal for outputting the audio informationrecorded in the memory area of the IC chip 4034 is input becomes thepower supply potential and the first instruction signal is input to theIC chip 4034 and the audio information recorded in the memory area ofthe IC chip 4034 is output through the audio information input/outputsection 4040. Thus, pressing the switch 4033 a through the playbackbutton 4003 a causes the audio information recorded in the IC chip 4034to be output through the audio information input/output section 4040.

Furthermore, during the operation of the switch 4033 b through therecording button 4003 b as well as during the operation of the switch4033 a through the playback button 4003 a, when the switch 4033 b is notpressed through the recording button 4003 b, the wiring pattern 4037 aand wiring pattern 4037 d formed on the audio substrate 4032 are notelectrically connected and when the switch 4033 b is pressed through therecording button 4003 b, the wiring pattern 4037 a and wiring pattern4037 d are electrically connected through a conductive agent (not shown)applied to the back of the switch 4033 b.

Here, in this embodiment, the wiring pattern 4037 d is not directlyconnected to the port terminal to which the second instruction signal ofthe IC chip 4034 is input and recording of the audio information inputthrough the audio information input/output section 4040 in the IC chip4034 is also controlled by the conductive member 4050.

The conductive member 4050 sandwiched between the audio substrate 4032and support sheet 4020 a is constructed with a conductive area 4052formed by applying a conductive agent to part of the back of the filmsheet 4051 as shown in FIG. 35 d and the conductive member 4050 issandwiched between the audio substrate 4032 and support sheet 4020 a sothat the surface on which the conductive area 4052 is formed faces theaudio substrate 4032.

When the conductive member 4050 is sandwiched between the audiosubstrate 4032 and support sheet 4020 a, as shown in FIG. 35 e, thewiring pattern 4037 c formed on the audio substrate 4032 and the wiringpattern 4037 d are electrically connected through the conductive area4052 provided on the back of the conductive member 4050. If the switch4033 b is pressed through the recording button 4003 b in this condition,the wiring pattern 4037 a formed on the audio substrate 4032 and thewiring pattern 4037 c are electrically connected through the conductiveagent applied to the back of the switch 4033 b, wiring pattern 4037 dand the conductive area 4052 provided on the back of the conductivemember 4050. Since the wiring pattern 4037 a is connected to thepositive electrode of the paper batteries 4031, the port terminalconnected to the wiring pattern 4037 c, that is, the port terminal towhich the second instruction signal for recording the audio informationinput through the audio information input/output section 4040 in thememory area of the IC chip 4034 is input becomes the power supplypotential, which means that the second instruction signal has been inputto the IC chip 4034, and if audio information is input through the audioinformation input/output section 4040 in that condition, the audioinformation input is recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 4034. Inthis way, with the conductive member 4050 sandwiched between the audiosubstrate 4032 and support sheet 4020 a, when the switch 4033 b ispressed through the recording button 4003 b and at the same time audioinformation is input through the audio information input/output section4040, the audio information input through the audio informationinput/output section 4040 is recorded in the IC chip 4034. Here, whenthe conductive member 4050 is sandwiched between the audio substrate4032 and support sheet 4020 a, one surface of the conductive member 4050is fixed by being bonded to the support sheet 4020 a through adhesivework applied to the support sheet 4020 a, which prevents the conductivemember 4050 from being shifted.

On the other hand, when the conductive member 4050 is removed frombetween the audio substrate 4032 and support sheet 4020 a, the wiringpattern 4037 c and wiring pattern 4037 d are electrically left open, andtherefore even if the switch 4033 b is pressed through the recordingbutton 4003 b to electrically connect between the wiring pattern 4037 aand wiring pattern 4037 d, the port terminal to which the secondinstruction signal of the IC chip 4034 is input does not become thepower supply potential, and therefore even if audio information is inputthrough the audio information input/output section 4040, the audioinformation input is never recorded in the memory area of the IC chip4034.

In this way, this embodiment inserts the conductive member 4050 betweenthe support sheet 4020 a and audio substrate 4032 in a detachable mannerand inputs a second instruction signal to the IC chip 4034 through theconductive member 4050 so as to record audio information input throughthe audio information input/output section 4040 in the memory area ofthe IC chip 4034 only when the switch 4033 b is pressed through therecording button 4003 b in that condition, and therefore if thisconductive member 4050 is removed after audio information is recorded inthe memory area of the IC chip 4034, the input audio information is notrecorded in the memory area of the IC chip 4034 even when audioinformation is input through the audio information input/output section4040 later by pressing the switch 4033 b through the recording button4003 b, thereby preventing the already recorded audio information frombeing erased by misoperation of the switch 4033 b through the recordingbutton 4003 b.

In this embodiment, the audio information recording/reproducing section4030 and conductive member 4050 are sandwiched between two supportsheets 4020 a, 4020 b and these support sheets 4020 a, 4020 b arefurther sandwiched between the two surface sheets 4010 a, 4010 b, but itis also possible to adopt a structure that the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 4030 and conductive member 4050 aresandwiched only between the two surface sheets 4010 a, 4010 b withoutthe support sheets 4020 a, 4020 b.

The invention shown by the above described twelfth embodiment allows therecording of audio information in the IC chip through the conductivemember sandwiched between two surface sheets and prohibits the recordingof audio information in the IC by removing this conductive member fromthe two surface sheets, and therefore even when the recording of audioinformation in the IC chip is prohibited, the surface sheet whichbecomes the outward appearance of the audio message transfer sheetremains the same, prevents the appearance from becoming unattractive, itis possible to determine whether the recording of audio information inthe IC chip is prohibited or not by means of the presence/absence of theconductive member, which makes it possible to visually check whether therecording is prohibited or not.

Furthermore, in the case where the conductive member is fixed betweenthe two surface sheets in a detachable manner, the conductive member isfixed when the conductive member is sandwiched between the two surfacesheets, and it is thereby possible to prevent the conductive member frombeing shifted between two surface sheets or prevent the IC chip andsecond switch from being electrically left open while the conductivemember is sandwiched between the two surface sheets with the result thataudio information cannot be recorded even if the second switch isoperated.

Thirteenth Embodiment

FIG. 36 a is a plan view of a double postal card which constitutes anaudio information delivery component according to a thirteenthembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 36 b illustrates an innerstructure of the double postal card 5001 shown in FIG. 36 a and FIG. 36c is a rear view of the double postal card 5001 shown in FIG. 36 a andFIG. 36 d is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 36a. FIG. 37 illustrates a laminated structure of the double postal card5001 shown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d.

As shown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d and FIG. 37, this embodiment is a doublepostal card 5001 consisting of a transmitting message card 5002 whichconstitutes a transmitting message section and a reply message card 5003which constitutes a reply message section connected together through aconnection part 5004, comprising a sheet-like first audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5030 capable of recording/reproducingaudio information sandwiched between two support sheets 5020 a, 5020 bmade of a flexible and thin base material such as paper base materialand support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b between which the audio informationrecording/reproducing sections 5030 is sandwiched are further sandwichedbetween two surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b made of a flexible and thinbase material such as paper base material. The surface sheets 5010 a,5010 b, support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b and audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5030 are bonded to one another throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 5020a, 5020 b. This adhesive work can be realized, for example, by pasting adouble-faced tape to the front and back of the support sheets 5020 a,5020 b or applying a hot-melt type adhesive thereto.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 5030 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information input/output section 5040made up of a piezo-electric element (not shown), a diaphragm (not shown)for inputting/outputting audio information, an audio substrate 5032mounted with a thin IC chip 5034 which includes a memory area which is astorage area in which audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 5040 is recorded, circuit elements suchas a capacitor and resistor, a first switch 5033 a and second switch5033 b electrically connected to the IC chip 5034, flexible paperbatteries 5031 connected to the audio substrate 5032 for supplying powerto the audio substrate 5032 and a connection substrate 5050 on which awiring pattern 5037 e for electrically connecting the switch 5033 b andIC chip 5034 is formed. In this way, the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5030 has a sheet-like structure.Furthermore, the audio substrate 5032 is provided with connectionterminals 5035 for inputting audio information to the IC chip 5034 fromoutside and outputting audio information recorded in the IC chip 5034 tooutside, a wiring pattern 5037 a for connecting the positive electrodeof the paper batteries 5031 and switches 5033 a, 5033 b, a wiringpattern 5037 b for connecting the port terminal of the port terminals ofthe IC chip 5034 to which a first instruction signal for outputtingaudio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5034 isinput and the switch 5033 a, a wiring pattern 5037 c for connecting theport terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 5034 to which asecond instruction signal for recording audio information input throughthe audio information input/output section 5040 in the memory area ofthe IC chip 5034 is input and a wiring pattern 5037 e formed on theconnection substrate 5050, and a wiring pattern 5037 d for connectingthe wiring pattern 5037 e and switch 5033 b. Here, the wiring pattern5037 a and the wiring pattern 5037 b are not electrically connected atthe lower part of the switch 5033 a, and the wiring pattern 5037 a andthe wiring pattern 5037 d are not electrically connected at the lowerpart of the switch 5033 b. Furthermore, the audio substrate 5032 is aflexible, thin substrate made of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., withthe IC chip 5034 bonded thereto by means of anisotropic/conductiveadhesive (ACP), anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding.Furthermore, the IC chip 5034 controls recording of audio informationinput through the audio information input/output section 5040 in thememory area and outputting of audio information recorded in the memoryarea through the audio information input/output section 5040, and whenthe port terminal connected to the wiring pattern 5037 b becomes thepower supply potential which is the potential of the first instructionsignal, the IC chip 5034 outputs the audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 5034 through the audio informationinput/output section 5040 and records the audio information inputthrough the audio information input/output section 5040 in the memoryarea of the IC chip 5034 as long as the port terminal connected to thewiring pattern 5037 c has the power supply potential which is thepotential of the second instruction signal. Furthermore, the switch 5033a is operated to output audio information recorded in the memory area ofIC chip 5034 through the audio information input/output section 5040 andthe switch 5033 b is operated to record audio information input throughthe audio information input/output section 5040 in the memory area ofthe IC chip 5034.

The audio information input/output section 5040, audio substrate 5032,paper batteries 5031 and connection substrate 5050 making up the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5030 are sandwiched betweenthe support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b so that parts of the audio informationinput/output section 5040, audio substrate 5032, paper batteries 5031and connection substrate 5050 are placed on the reply message card 5003side. That is, these parts are sandwiched between the support sheets5020 a, 5020 b so that the wiring pattern 5037 e formed on theconnection substrate 5050 of the audio information recording/reproducingsection 5030 spans the transmitting message card 5002 and reply messagecard 5003 through the connection part 5004.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 37, when superimposed on the surface sheet5010 a, the support sheet 5020 a is divided into two portions throughthe area facing the connection part 5004 and when superimposed on theaudio information recording/reproducing section 5030, holes 5021 a,5022, 5023, 5024 a are formed in the areas facing the paper batteries5031, switches 5033 a, 5033 b, IC chip 5034 and audio informationinput/output section 5040, and when superimposed on the surface sheet5010 b, the support sheet 5020 b is divided into two portions throughthe area facing the connection part 5004 and holes 5021 b, 5024 b areformed in the areas facing the paper batteries 5031 and audioinformation input/output section 5040 when superimposed on the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5030.

In this way, by forming the holes 5021 a, 5022, 5023, 5024 in the areasof the support sheet 5020 a facing the paper batteries 5031, switch 5033a, 5033 b, IC chip 5034 and audio information input/output section 5040respectively and forming the holes 5021 b, 5024 b in the areas of thesupport sheet 5020 b facing the paper batteries 5031 and audioinformation input/output section 5040, it is possible to reduce thedifference in thickness between the areas where the paper batteries5031, switches 5033 a, 5033 b, IC chip 5034 and audio informationinput/output section 5040 are mounted, and the other areas, therebyimprove flatness of the surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b and facilitateprinting of information on the surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b.

FIG. 38 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 5020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 5030 shown in FIGS.36 a to 36 d and FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 b illustrates a laminated structureof the support sheet 5020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 5030 shown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d and FIG. 37.

As shown in FIG. 36 a, the hole 5021 a formed in the area of the supportsheet 5020 a facing the paper batteries 5031 is smaller than the paperbatteries 5031, the hole 5022 formed in the area facing the switches5033 a, 5033 b includes the switches 5033 a, 5033 b, the hole 5023formed in the area facing the IC chip 5034 is greater than the IC chip5034 and the hole 5024 a formed in the area facing the audio informationinput/output section 5040 is greater than the audio informationinput/output section 5040.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36 b, the hole 5021 b formed in the areaof the support sheet 5020 b facing the paper batteries 5031 is smallerthan the paper batteries 5031 and the hole 5024 b formed in the areafacing the audio information input/output section 5040 is smaller thanthe audio information input/output section 5040.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 5030 islaminated in such a way that only part thereof is sandwiched between thetwo support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b from front and back and fixed throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 5020a, 5020 b.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36 a, of the two surface sheets 5010 a,5010 b, the surface sheet 5010 a facing the switches 5033 a, 5033 b andIC chip 5034 through the holes 5022, 5023 of the support sheet 5020 a isprovided with an address information entry area 5015 for entering theaddress and name, etc., of the receiver of this double postal card 5001in the area which becomes the transmitting message card 5002 through theconnection part 5004, the area which becomes the reply message card 5003through the connection part 5004 facing the switch 5033 a through thehole 5022 of the support sheet 5020 a is provided with printingindicating a playback button 5011 a for operating the switch 5033 a, andthe area of the support sheet 5020 a facing the switch 5033 b throughthe hole 5022 is provided with printing indicating a recording button5011 b for operating the switch 5033 b. Furthermore, in the area of thesupport sheet 5020 a facing the audio information input/output section5040 through the hole 5024 a, an audio output area 5014 made up of anarray of fine holes for outputting audio output from the audioinput/output section 5040 to outside is formed. Even when the front andback of the audio information input/output section 5040 are covered withthe surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b, the formation of the audio outputarea 5014 made up of an array of fine holes can compensate for areduction of sound volume output from the audio information input/outputsection 5040. In the audio output area 5014, holes of 0.1 mm in diameterare formed horizontally and vertically at intervals of 1.5 mm throughlaser beam machining. Therefore, unlike punching or perforation usingneedles, etc., no burrs are formed and the holes are never clogged withburrs. Furthermore, the area of the surface sheet 5010 a which becomesthe reply message card 5003 through the connection part 5004 is providedwith an information entry field 5013 for the receiver of the doublepostal card 5001 to enter information to be transmitted to the sender ofthe double postal card 5001 using this reply message card 5003. In FIG.36 a, though no information is printed on the audio output area 5014,information including the playback button 11 a and the recording button11 b is actually printed over the entire surface of the surface sheet5010 a, and therefore information can also be printed on the audiooutput area 5014. Furthermore, instead of providing the playback button5011 a and the recording button 5011 b on the surface sheet 5010 a byprinting, it is also possible to paste seals to the areas facing theswitches 5033 a, 5033 b after information is printed on the surfacesheet 5010 a. Furthermore, the connection part 5004 is preferablystructured to be easily detachable by forming perforation. In thisembodiment, since the support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b are divided throughthe area facing the connection part 5004, perforation is formed on thesurface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b.

A method of use of the above described double postal card 5001 will beexplained below.

First, the sender of the double postal card 5001 prints the playbackbuttons 5011 a, 5011 b and information entry field 5013 in the area ofthe surface sheet 5010 a which becomes the reply message card 5003 andprints guide information 5017 which becomes information to betransmitted to the receiver of this double postal card 5001 in the areaof the surface sheet 5010 b which becomes the transmitting message card5002 and prints address information 5016 such as the address and name ofthe receiver of the reply message card 5003 in the area which becomesthe reply message card 5003.

Furthermore, with the switch 5033 b held down through the recordingbutton 5011 b, audio information to be transmitted to the receiver ofthe double postal card 5001 is entered through the audio informationinput/output section 5040 and recorded in the memory area in the IC chip5034.

FIG. 39 a is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch 5033 bwhen the switch 5033 b is not pressed through the recording button 5011b shown in FIGS. 36 a, 26 b and FIG. 39 b is a cross-sectional view ofthe vicinity of the switch 5033 b when the switch 5033 b is pressedthrough the recording button 5011 b shown in FIGS. 36 a, 26 b.

With the double postal card 1 shown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d, when theswitch 5033 b is not pressed through the recording button 5011 b, thewiring pattern 5037 a formed on the audio substrate 5032 and wiringpattern 5037 d are not electrically connected as shown in FIG. 39 a. Forthis reason, the port terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 5034connected to the wiring pattern 5037 d through the wiring patterns 5037c, 5037 e, that is, the port terminal to which a second instructionsignal for recording the audio information input through audioinformation input/output section 5040 is recorded in the memory area ofthe IC chip 5034 is left open and even when audio information is inputthrough the audio information input/output section 5040 in thiscondition, the audio information input is not recorded in the memoryarea of the IC chip 5034.

On the other hand, when the switch 5033 b is pressed through therecording button 5011 b, as shown in FIG. 39 b, the wiring pattern 5037aformed on the audio substrate 5032 and the wiring pattern 5037 d areelectrically connected through the conductive agent 5038 applied to theback of the switch 5033 b. Since the wiring pattern 5037 a is connectedto the positive electrode of the paper batteries 5031, the port terminalconnected to the wiring pattern 5037 d through the wiring patterns 5037c, 5037 e, that is, the port terminal to which a second instructionsignal for recording the audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 5040 in the memory area of the IC chip5034 is input becomes the power supply potential, which means that thesecond instruction signal has been input to the IC chip 5034, and whenaudio information is thereby input through the audio informationinput/output section 5040 in this condition, the audio information inputis recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5034.

As described above, by recording audio information after printing on thedouble postal card 5001, it is possible to record desired differentpieces of audio information at the destination of the double postal card5001, but printing may also be performed after recording audioinformation.

Furthermore, instead of inputting audio information through the audioinformation input/output section 5040, it is also possible to inputaudio information from outside through the connection terminal 5035provided on the audio substrate 5032. In that case, not only audioinformation but also an instruction of entering this audio informationis input through the connection terminal 5035 and when this instructionis input, the IC chip 5034 records the audio information input throughthe connection terminal 5035 in the memory area. It is also possible tooutput audio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5034to the outside through the connection terminal 5035. In that case, aninstruction of outputting the audio information recorded in the memoryarea of the IC chip 5034 is input through the connection terminal 5035and when this instruction is input, the IC chip 5034 outputs the audioinformation stored in the memory area through the connection terminal5035.

In this way, when information is printed, the double postal card 5001with audio information recorded is delivered and when the receiverreceives it and presses the switch 5033 a through the playback button5011 a, the audio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip5034 is output through the audio information input/output section 5040.

As in the case where the switch 5033 b is pressed through the recordingbutton 5011 b, when the switch 5033 a is not pressed through theplayback button 5011 a, the wiring pattern 5037 a formed on the audiosubstrate 5032 and wiring pattern 5037 b are not electrically connected,and for this reason, the port terminal of the port terminals of the ICchip 5034 connected to the wiring pattern 5037 b, that is, the portterminal to which a first instruction signal for outputting the audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5034 is input isleft open and the audio information recorded in the memory area of theIC chip 5034 is not output.

On the other hand, when the switch 5033 a is pressed through theplayback button 5011 a, the wiring pattern 5037 a formed on the audiosubstrate 5032 and the wiring pattern 5037 b are electrically connectedthrough a conductive agent (not shown) applied to the back of the switch5033 a. Since the wiring pattern 5037 a is connected to the positiveelectrode of the paper batteries 5031, the port terminal connected tothe wiring pattern 5037 b, that is, the port terminal to which a firstinstruction signal for outputting audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 5034 is input becomes the power supplypotential and the first instruction signal is input to the IC chip 5034and the audio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip5034 is output through the audio information input/output section 5040.In this way, by pressing the switch 5033 a through the playback button5011 a, audio information recorded in the IC chip 5034 is output throughthe audio information input/output section 5040.

Furthermore, when the receiver of the double postal card 5001 entersinformation to be transmitted to the sender of the double postal card5001 into the information entry field 5013 using this reply message card5003 and then separates the transmitting message card 5002 from thereply message card 5003 along the connection part 5004, the connectionsubstrate 5050 of the audio information recording/reproducing section5030 is thereby cut and the wiring pattern 5037 e formed on theconnection substrate 5050 is cut. Here, the connection substrate 5050 ismade of a material such as a film which is easily cut and a notch 5051is formed in a shape which will not impair the connection condition ofthe wiring pattern 5037 e in an area facing the connection part 5004 andthe wiring pattern 5037 e has a reduced line width so that the wiringpattern 5037 e can be easily cut when the transmitting message card 5002is separated from the reply message card 5003 through the connectionpart 5004. Furthermore, forming perforation instead of the notch 5051 inthe area facing the connection part 5004 of the connection substrate5050 can also provide a structure that the wiring pattern 5037 e can beeasily cut when the transmitting message card 5002 is separated from thereply message card 5003 through the connection part 5004.

FIG. 40 illustrates an inner structure of the double postal card 5001shown in FIGS. 36 a to 36 d separated into the transmitting message card5002 and the reply message card 5003 along the connection part 5004.

As shown in FIG. 40, when the transmitting message card 5002 isseparated from the reply message card 5003 through the connection part5004, the connection substrate 5050 is cut and the wiring pattern 5037 eformed on the connection substrate 5050 is thereby cut. In thiscondition, the wiring pattern 5037 d connected to the switch 5033 b andthe wiring pattern 5037 c connected to the port terminal to which asecond instruction signal for recording audio information input throughthe audio information input/output section 5040 in the memory area ofthe IC chip 5034 is input are not electrically connected, and thereforeeven if the switch 5033 b is pressed through the recording button 5011b, the port terminal to which the second instruction signal forrecording the audio information input through the audio informationinput/output section 5040 in the memory area of the IC chip 5034 isinput does not become the power supply potential. For this reason, evenif audio information is input through the audio information input/outputsection 5040 in this condition, the input audio information is notrecorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5034.

Then, the receiver of the double postal card 5001 sends the replymessage card 5003, but as described above, even if the switch 5033 b ispressed through the recording button 5011 b, the audio information isnot recorded in the IC chip 5034, and therefore it is possible toprevent the already recorded audio information from being erased bymisoperation of the switch 5033 b through the recording button 5011 bafter the reply message card 5003 is sent.

After the reply message card 5003 sent in this way is delivered to thereceiver of the reply message card 5003, if the receiver of the replymessage card 5003 presses the switch 5033 a through the playback button5011 a, the audio information recorded in the IC chip 5034 by the senderof the reply message card 5003 is output through the audio informationinput/output section 5040.

Fourteenth Embodiment

FIG. 41 a is a plan view of a double postal card which constitutes anaudio information delivery component according to a fourteenthembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 41 b is a plan view of aninner structure of the double postal card 5101 shown in FIG. 41 a, FIG.41 c is a rear view of the double postal card 5101 shown in FIG. 41 a,FIG. 41 d is a rear view of an inner structure of the double postal card5101 shown in FIG. 41 a and FIG. 41 e is a cross-sectional view alongthe line A-A′ shown in FIG. 41 a. Furthermore, FIG. 42 illustrates alaminated structure of the double postal card shown in FIGS. 41 a to 41e.

As shown in FIGS. 41 a to 41 e, this embodiment differs from thethirteenth embodiment in that a sheet-like second audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5130 capable of recording/reproducingaudio information is provided on the transmitting message card 5002 sidesandwiched between support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b and surface sheets 5010a, 5010 b.

This audio information recording/reproducing section 5130 is constructedof a sheet-like audio information output section 5140 made up of apiezo-electric element (not shown) or diaphragm (not shown) foroutputting audio information, an audio substrate 5132 mounted with athin IC chip 5134 provided with a memory area which is a storage area inwhich audio information is recorded, circuit elements such as acapacitor, resistor and switches 5133 electrically connected to the ICchip 5134, and flexible paper batteries 5131 connected to the audiosubstrate 5132 for supplying power to the audio substrate 5132. In thisway, the audio information recording/reproducing section 5130 has asheet-like structure. Furthermore, the audio substrate 5132 is providedwith connection terminals 5135 for inputting audio information to the ICchip 5134 from outside and outputting audio information recorded in theIC chip 5134 to outside, a wiring pattern 5137 a for connecting thepositive electrode of the paper batteries 5131 and switches 5133, awiring pattern 5137 b for connecting the port terminal of the portterminals of the IC chip 5134 to which an instruction signal foroutputting audio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip5134 is input and the switches 5133. Here, the wiring pattern 5137 a andthe wiring pattern 5137 b are not electrically connected at the lowerpart of the switch 5133. Furthermore, the audio substrate 5132 is aflexible, thin substrate made of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., withthe IC chip 5134 bonded thereto by means of anisotropic/conductiveadhesive (ACP), anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding.Furthermore, the IC chip 5134 controls recording of audio informationinput through the connection terminal 5135 in the memory area andoutputting of audio information recorded in the memory area through theaudio information output section 5140, and when the port terminalconnected to the wiring pattern 5137 b becomes the power supplypotential which is the potential of the instruction signal, the IC chip5134 outputs the audio information recorded in the memory area of the ICchip 5134. Furthermore, the switches 5133 are operated to output audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 5134 through theaudio information output section 5140.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 42, as in the case of the thirteenthembodiment, the support sheet 5020 a is divided through the area facingthe connection part 5004 when superimposed on the surface sheet 5010 a,and the area on the transmitting message card 5002 side in which theaudio information recording/reproducing section 5130 is sandwiched isdivided from the other area. Furthermore, in this area, whensuperimposed on the audio information recording/reproducing section5130, holes 5121 b, 5124 b are formed in the areas facing the paperbatteries 5131 and audio information output section 5140. On the replymessage card 5003 side, as in the case of the thirteenth embodiment,when superimposed on the audio information recording/reproducing section5030, holes 5021 a, 5022, 5023, 5024 a are formed in the areas facingthe paper batteries 5031, switches 5033 a, 5033 b, IC chip 5034 andaudio information input/output section 5040 respectively.

Furthermore, as in the case of the thirteenth embodiment, whensuperimposed on the surface sheet 5010 b, the support sheet 5020 b isdivided through areas facing the connection part 5004, and the area onthe transmitting message card 5002 side in which the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5130 is sandwiched is divided from theother area. Furthermore, in this area, when superimposed on the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5130, holes 5121 a, 5122,5123, 5124 a are formed in the areas facing the paper batteries 5131,switches 5133, IC chip 5134 and audio information output section 5140respectively. On the reply message card 5003 side, as in the case of thethirteenth embodiment, when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5030, holes 5021 b, 5024 b are formed inthe areas facing the paper batteries 5031 and audio informationinput/output section 5040 respectively.

In this way, by forming the hole 5021 a, 5121 a, 5022, 5023, 5024 a,5124 a in the areas of the support sheet 5020 a facing the paperbatteries 5031, 5131, switches 5033 a, 5033 b, IC chip 5034 and audioinformation input/output sections 5040, 5140 respectively and formingthe holes 5021 b, 5121 b, 5024 b, 5124 b, 5122, 5123 in the areas of thesupport sheet 5020 b facing the paper batteries 5031, 5131, audioinformation input/output sections 5040, 5140, switch 5133 and IC chip5134 respectively, it is possible to reduce the difference in thicknessbetween the areas where the paper batteries 5031, 5131, switches 5033 a,5033 b, 5133, IC chips 5034, 5134 and audio information input/outputsections 5040, 5140 are mounted and the other areas, thereby improveflatness of the surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b and facilitate printing ofinformation on the surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b.

FIG. 43 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 5020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 5130 shown in FIGS.41 a to 41 e and FIG. 42 and FIG. 43 b illustrates a laminated structureof the support sheet 5020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 5130 shown in FIGS. 41 a to 41 e and FIG. 42. FIGS. 43 a, 43 bshow only the areas of the support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b superimposed onthe audio information recording/reproducing section 5130.

As shown in FIG. 43 a, the hole 5121 b formed in the area of the supportsheet 5020 b facing the paper batteries 5131 is smaller than the paperbatteries 5131, the hole 5122 formed in the area facing the switch 5133is greater than the switch 5133, the hole 5123 formed in the area facingthe IC chip 5134 is greater than the IC chip 5134 and the hole 5124 bformed in the area facing the audio information output section 5140 isgreater than the audio information output section 5140.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 43 b, the hole 5121 a formed in the areaof the support sheet 5020 a facing the paper batteries 5131 is smallerthan the paper batteries 5131 and the hole 5124 a formed in the areafacing the audio information output section 5140 is smaller than theaudio information output section 5140.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 5130 islaminated in such a way that only part thereof is sandwiched between thetwo support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b from front and back and fixed throughadhesive work applied to the front and back of the support sheets 5020a, 5020 b.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 41 a, the surface sheet 5010 b of thisembodiment differs from the thirteenth embodiment in that perforation5118 is formed in the area which becomes the transmitting message card5002 through the connection part 5004 to separate the area in which theaudio information recording/reproducing section 5130 is sandwiched fromthe other areas, an audio output area 5114 made up of an array of fineholes to output audio output from the audio information output section5140 to the outside is formed in the area facing the audio informationoutput section 5140 through the hole 5124 b of the support sheet 5020 b,and a playback button 5118 for operating the switch 5133 is printed inthe area facing the switch 5133 through the hole 5122 of the supportsheet 5020 b.

A method of use of the above described double postal card 5101 will beexplained below.

First, the sender of the double postal card 5101 prints the abovedescribed information on the surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b, recordsaudio information in the IC chip 5134 through the connection terminal5135 provided on the audio substrate 5132 of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5130 and sends this double postal card5101 to the receiver. In this case, through the connection terminal5135, an instruction for inputting audio information together with audioinformation is input and the IC chip 5134 records audio information inthe memory area according to this instruction. Furthermore, as in thecase of the thirteenth embodiment, it is also possible to input audioinformation through the audio information input/output section 5040 withthe switch 5033 b held down through the recording button 5011 b providedin the area which becomes the reply message card 5003 of the surfacesheet 5010 a and record audio information in the IC chip 5034.

When the double postal card 5101 is sent to the receiver, the receiverof the double postal card 5101 presses the switch 5133 of the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5130 through the playbackbutton 5111 provided on the surface sheet 5010 b, the audio informationrecorded in the IC chip 5134 is output through the audio informationoutput section 5140.

Then, as in the case of the thirteenth embodiment, the receiver of thedouble postal card 5101 records audio information in the IC chip 5034 ofthe audio information recording/reproducing section 5030, separates thereply message card 5003 through the connection part 5004 and sends it tothe destination of the reply message card 5003.

According to this embodiment, the area of the transmitting message card5002 in which the audio information recording/reproducing section 5130is sandwiched can be separated from the other area. For this reason, ifthe double postal card 5101 is used as an invitation to another party ofa wedding ceremony, for example, when the guide information 5017indicating the date and place of the other party of the wedding ceremonyis printed in the area in which the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5130 of the transmitting message card 5002is sandwiched and detailed information, etc., thereof is recorded in theaudio information recording/reproducing section 5130, the receiver ofthe double postal card 5101 can separate the area in which the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5130 is sandwiched from thetransmitting message card 5002 and visits the place of the other partyof the wedding ceremony carrying the small-sized letter of invitationwith him/her. Furthermore, as described above, even when the guideinformation 5017 indicating the date and place of the other party of thewedding ceremony is not printed in the area in which audio informationrecording/reproducing section 5130 of the transmitting message card 5002is sandwiched, it is possible to keep the separated area as the card instorage. Furthermore, keeping the recorded audio information as a cardin storage may also be applied to the area of the reply message card5003 in which the audio information recording/reproducing section 5030is sandwiched in the same way and in that case, it is necessary to formperforation, etc., for separating the area in which the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5030 is sandwiched from theother area for the reply message card 5003, too.

The above described thirteenth and fourteenth embodiments adopt thestructure that the support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b are divided by the areafacing the connection part 5004, but it is also possible to adopt thesupport sheets 5020 a, 5020 b made of a material that can be easily cutor form perforation in the area facing the connection part 5004 so thatthe support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b are not divided by the area facing theconnection part 5004. Likewise, in the fourteenth embodiment, it is alsopossible not to divide the areas of the support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b onthe transmitting message card 5002 side.

Furthermore, in the above described thirteenth and fourteenthembodiments, the audio information recording/reproducing section 5030 issandwiched between the two support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b and the supportsheets 5020 a, 5020 b are further sandwiched between the two surfacesheets 5010 a, 5010 b, but it is also possible to adopt a structure thatthe support sheets 5020 a, 5020 b are not provided and the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 5030 is only sandwichedbetween the two surface sheets 5010 a, 5010 b.

Furthermore, the above described thirteenth and fourteenth embodimentshave described the double postal cards 5001, 5101 made up of thetransmitting message card 5002 and reply message card 5003 connectedthrough the connection part 5004, but the audio information deliverycomponent of the present invention is not limited to this and thepresent invention is applicable to any audio information deliverycomponent whose transmitting message section and reply message sectionare connected.

The inventions shown in the above described thirteenth and fourteenthembodiments provide an audio information delivery component made up of atransmitting message section and a reply message section connected, withfirst audio information recording/reproducing means capable ofrecording/reproducing audio information sandwiched between two surfacesheets in such a way that wiring for recording audio information spansthe transmitting message section and the reply message section, andtherefore it is possible to separate the transmitting message sectionfrom the reply message section along the connection part to send thereply message section after recording audio information in the firstaudio information recording/reproducing means, cut the wiring forrecording audio information of the first audio informationrecording/reproducing means sandwiched between the two surface sheets toprevent audio information from being recorded in the first audioinformation recording/reproducing means and thereby prevent recordedaudio information from being erased mistakenly without degrading thequality of appearance.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that second audio informationrecording/reproducing means capable of recording/reproducing audioinformation is sandwiched between areas which become transmittingmessage sections of two surface sheets and the area of the transmittingmessage section in which the second audio informationrecording/reproducing means is provided is made separable from the otherarea, the receiver of the double postal card can separate the area inwhich the second audio information recording/reproducing means withaudio information recorded is sandwiched from the transmitting messagesection, and carry that area or keep it in storage.

Fifteenth Embodiment

FIG. 44 a is a plan view of a label according to a fifteenth embodimentof the present invention, FIG. 44 b illustrates an inner structure ofthe label 6001 shown in FIG. 44 a and FIG. 44 c is a cross-sectionalview along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 44 a. Furthermore, FIG. 45illustrates a laminated structure of the label 6001 shown in FIGS. 44 ato 44 c.

As shown in FIGS. 44 a to 44 c and FIG. 45, this embodiment isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducingsection 6030 capable of recording/reproducing audio informationsandwiched between two support sheets 6020 a, 6020 b made of a flexible,thin base material such as paper base material, the support sheets 6020a, 6020 b in which the audio information recording/reproducing section6030 is sandwiched are further sandwiched between two surface sheets6010 a, 6010 b made of a flexible, thin base material such as paper basematerial, with the surface sheets 6010 a, 6010 b, support sheets 6020 a,6020 b and audio information recording/reproducing section 6030 bondedto one another by means of adhesives 6028 a, 6029 a applied to the frontand back of the support sheet 6020 a and adhesives 6028 a, 6029 aapplied to the front and back of the support sheet 6020 b. Furthermore,an adhesive 6050 is applied to the surface of the surface sheet 6010 bnot facing the support sheet 6020 b and a strippable paper 6060 isadhered in a strippable manner through the adhesive 6050. One sheet basematerial is constructed of these surface sheet 6010 a and support sheet6020 a and one sheet base material is constructed of the surface sheet6010 b and support sheet 6020 b and the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6030 is sandwiched between these two sheetbase materials.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6030 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information output section 6040 madeup of a piezo-electric element 6041 and diaphragm 6042, etc., foroutputting recorded audio information, an audio substrate 6032 mountedwith a thin IC chip 6034 in which audio information is recorded, circuitelements such as a capacitor and resistor and thin switch 6033 which isoperated to output the audio information recorded in the IC chip 6034from the audio information output section 6040, and flexible paperbatteries 6031 connected to the audio substrate 6032 for supplying powerto the audio substrate 6032, and the audio substrate 6032 is furtherprovided with a connection terminal 6035 for inputting audio informationin the IC chip 6034 from the outside or outputting the audio informationrecorded in the IC chip 6034 to the outside. In this way, the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 6030 has a sheet-likestructure. Here, the audio substrate 6032 is a flexible, thin substratemade of fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., with the IC chip 6032 bondedthereto by means of anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP),anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding.

Furthermore, when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6030, the support sheet 6020 a is providedwith holes 6021 a, 6022, 6023, 6024 a in areas facing the paperbatteries 6031, switch 6033, IC chip 6034 and audio information outputsection 6040, respectively. Furthermore, when superimposed on the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 6030, the support sheet 6020 bis provided with holes 6021 b, 6024 b in areas facing the paperbatteries 6031 and audio information output section 6040, respectively.

In this way, the holes 6021 a, 6022, 6023, 6024 a are formed in theareas of the support sheet 6020 a facing the paper batteries 6031,switch 6033, IC chip 6034 and audio information output section 6040respectively, and the holes 6021 b, 6024 b are formed in the areas ofthe support sheet 6020 b facing the paper batteries 6031 and audioinformation output section 6040 respectively, which reduces thedifference in thickness between the areas where the paper battery 6031,switch 6033, IC chip 6034 and audio information output section 6040 areprovided and the other areas, improves flatness of the surface sheet6010 a, and facilitates printing of information on the surface sheet6010 a.

FIG. 46 a illustrates a laminated structure of the support sheet 6020 aand audio information recording/reproducing section 6030 shown in FIGS.44 a to 44 c and FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 b illustrates a laminated structureof the support sheet 6020 b and audio information recording/reproducingsection 6030 shown in FIGS. 44 a to 44 c and FIG. 45.

As shown in FIG. 46 a, the hole 6021 a formed in the area of the supportsheet 6020 a facing the paper batteries 6031 is smaller than the paperbatteries 6031, the hole 6022 formed in the area facing the switch 6033is greater than the switch 6033, the hole 6023 formed in the area facingthe IC chip 6034 is greater than the IC chip 6034 and the hole 6024 aformed in the area facing the audio information output section 6040 isgreater than the audio information output section 6040.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 46 b, the hole 6021 b formed in the areaof the support sheet 6020 b facing the paper batteries 6031 is smallerthan the paper batteries 6031 and the hole 6024 b formed in the areafacing the audio information output section 6040 is smaller than theaudio information output section 6040.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6030 islaminated in such a way that only part thereof is sandwiched from frontand back between the two support sheets 6020 a, 6020 b and fixed throughthe adhesive 6029 a applied to the back of the support sheet 6020 a andthe adhesive 6028 b applied to the front of the support sheet 6020 b.

Furthermore, of the two surface sheets 6010 a, 6010 b, the surface sheet6010 a facing the switch 6033 and IC chip 6034 through the holes 6022,6023 of the support sheet 6020 a is provided with an information displayarea 6002 in which information, etc., to be transmitted to the receiverof this label 6001 is printed, the area of the support sheet 6020 afacing the switch 6033 through the hole 6022 is provided with a printshowing the playback button 6003 for operating the switch 6033 and inthe area of the support sheet 6020 a facing the audio information outputsection 6040 through the hole 6024 a, an audio output area 6004 made upof an array of fine holes for outputting audio output from the audiooutput section 6040 is formed. Even when the front and back of the audioinformation output section 6040 are covered with the surface sheets 6010a, 6010 b, the formation of the audio output area 6004 made up of anarray of fine holes can compensate for a reduction of sound volumeoutput from the audio information output section 6040. In the audiooutput area 6004, holes of 0.1 mm in diameter are formed horizontallyand vertically at intervals of 1.5 mm through laser beam machining.Therefore, unlike punching or perforation using needles, etc. to make ahole, no burrs are formed and the holes are never clogged with burrs.

Furthermore, the playback button 6003 may be printed on the surfacesheet 6010 a together with information printed on the informationdisplay area 6002, but it is also possible to paste a seal to the areafacing the switch 6033 after information is printed on the informationdisplay area 6002.

In the above described label 6001, if information is printed on theinformation display area 6002, the audio information to be transmittedto the receiver of the label 6001 is input through the connectionterminal 6035 of the audio information recording/reproducing section6030 and recorded in the IC chip 6034, when this label 6001 is pasted toan object and delivered to the receiver of the label 6001 later, theinformation printed on the information display area 6002 is visuallytransmitted at the destination of the label 6001 and when the receiverpresses the switch 6033 through the playback button 6003, the audioinformation recorded in the IC chip 6034 is output from the audioinformation output section 6040.

In this way, information is printed on the information display area6002, audio information is recorded in the IC chip 6034 and then theaudio information is output by pressing the switch 6033 through theplayback button 6003, and therefore it is possible for the able-bodiedand the visually handicapped alike to transmit desired information.

Sixteenth Embodiment

FIG. 47 a is a plan view of a label according to a sixteenth embodimentof the present invention, FIG. 47 b illustrates an inner structure ofthe label 6101 shown in FIG. 47 a, FIG. 47 c a cross-sectional viewalong the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 47 a and FIG. 47 d is across-sectional view along the line B-B′ shown in FIG. 47 a.Furthermore, FIG. 48 illustrates a laminated structure of the label 6101shown in FIGS. 47 a to 47 d.

As shown in FIGS. 47 a to 47 d and FIG. 48, according to thisembodiment, a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducing section6130 capable of recording/reproducing audio information is sandwichedbetween two support sheets 6120 a, 6120 b of different dimensions madeof a flexible, thin base material such as paper base material and asurface sheet 6110 a made of a flexible, thin base material such aspaper base material equivalent in dimensions to the support sheet 6120 bis superimposed on the surface of the support sheet 6120 a not facingthe audio information recording/reproducing section 6130. Furthermore, astrippable paper 6160 is bonded to the surface of the support sheet 6120b not facing the audio information recording/reproducing section 6130 ina strippable manner. Adhesives 6128 a, 6129 a are applied to the frontand back of the support sheet 6120 a and adhesives 6128 b, 6129 b areapplied to the front and back of the support sheet 6120 b. The surfacesheet 6110 a is bonded to the support sheet 6120 a through an adhesive6128 a in the area facing the support sheet 6120 a and bonded to thesupport sheet 6120 b through an adhesive 6128 b in the area facing thesupport sheet 6120 b. Furthermore, the support sheet 6120 b andstrippable paper 6160 are bonded together through an adhesive 6129 b ina strippable manner. One sheet base material is constructed of thesurface sheet 6110 a and support sheet 6120 a, another sheet basematerial is constructed of the support sheet 6120 b, and the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 6130 is sandwiched betweenthese two sheet base materials and the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6130 is fixed by the adhesive 6129 aapplied to the back of the support sheet 6120 a and adhesive 6128 bapplied to the front of the support sheet 6120 b.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6130 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information input/output section 6140made up of a piezo-electric element 6141 and diaphragm 6142, etc., forinputting/outputting audio information, an audio substrate 6132 mountedwith a thin IC chip 6134 provided with a memory area in which audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6140 is recorded and circuit elements such as a capacitor and resistorand a first switch 6133 b and a second switch 6133 a electricallyconnected to the IC chip 6134, flexible paper batteries 6131 connectedto the audio substrate 6132 for supply power to the audio substrate 6132and a connection substrate 6170 on which a wiring pattern 6171 forelectrically connecting a switch 6133 b for recording audio informationin the IC chip 6134 and the IC chip 6134 is formed. In this way, theaudio information recording/reproducing section 6130 has a sheet-likestructure. Furthermore, the audio substrate 6132 is provided with aconnection terminal 6135 for inputting audio information in the IC chip6134 from the outside and outputting audio information recorded in theIC chip 6134 to the outside, a wiring pattern 6137 a which connects thepositive electrode of the paper batteries 6131 to the switches 6133 a,6133 b, a wiring pattern 6137 b which connects the port terminal of theport terminals of the IC chip 6134 to which an instruction signal foroutputting audio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip6134 is input and the switch 6133 a, a wiring pattern 6137 c whichconnects the port terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 6134 towhich an instruction signal for recording audio information inputthrough the audio information input/output section 6140 in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6134 is input and the wiring pattern 6171 formed onthe connection substrate 6170, and a wiring pattern 6137 d whichconnects the wiring pattern 6171 and the switch 6133 b. The wiringpattern 6137 a and the wiring pattern 6137 b are not electricallyconnected at the lower part of the switch 6133 a, and the wiring pattern6137 a and wiring pattern 6137 d are not electrically connected at thelower part of the switch 6133 b. Furthermore, the audio substrate 6132is a flexible, thin substrate made of fiberglass reinforced plastics(FRP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc.,with the IC chip 6134 bonded thereto by means of anisotropic/conductiveadhesive (ACP), anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding.Furthermore, the connection substrate 6170 also needs to have the abovedescribed flexibility and further needs to be made of a material like afilm that can be easily cut. Furthermore, the IC chip 6134 controlsrecording of audio information input through the audio informationinput/output section 6140 in the memory area and outputting of audioinformation recorded in the memory area through the audio informationinput/output section 6140. When the port terminal connected to thewiring pattern 6137 b becomes the power supply potential, the IC chip6134 outputs the audio information recorded in the memory area of the ICchip 6134 and records audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 6140 in the memory area of the IC chip6134 as long as the port terminal connected to the wiring pattern 6137 cremains at the power supply potential. Furthermore, the switch 6133 a isoperated to output audio information recorded in the memory area of theIC chip 6134 through the audio information input/output section 6140 andthe switch 6133 b is operated to record the audio information inputthrough the audio information input/output section 6140 in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6134.

The audio information input/output section 6140, audio substrate 6132,paper batteries 6131 and connection substrate 6170 constituting theaudio information recording/reproducing section 6130 are sandwichedbetween the support sheets 6120 a, 6120 b and surface sheet 6110 a sothat the audio information input/output section 6140, audio substrate6132 and paper batteries 6131 remain in only one of the two areas intowhich the surface sheet 6110 a and support sheet 6120 b are divisiblealong perforations 6105, 6125 formed thereon, and the connectionsubstrate 6170 spans the two areas.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 48, the support sheet 6120 a is shaped soas to be superimposed only on one of the two areas of the surface sheet6110 a and support sheet 6120 b divided through perforations 6105, 6125formed on the surface sheet 6110 a and support sheet 6120 brespectively, and when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6130, the area facing the paper batteries6131, switches 6133 a, 6133 b, IC chip 6134 and audio informationinput/output section 6140 is provided with holes 6121 a, 6122, 6123,6124 a. Furthermore, the thickness thereof is smaller than that of theswitch 6133 a of the audio information recording/reproducing section6130.

In this way, when the audio information recording/reproducing section6130 is sandwiched between the support sheets 6120 a, 6120 b and surfacesheet 6110 a, only the area of the surface of the surface sheet 6110 aon which the playback button 6103 a is provided protrudes from the otherarea, which makes the playback button 6103 a identifiable by touchingfrom the outside. Furthermore, instead of adopting such a structure thatonly the area of the surface of the surface sheet 6110 a on which theplayback button 6103 a is provided protrudes by reducing the thicknessof the support sheet 6120 a compared to the thickness of the switch 6133a in this way, applying convex work such as Braille charactersindicating the playback button 6103 a to the area provided with theplayback button 6103 a of the surface sheet 6110 a can also make theplayback button 6103 a identifiable by touching from the outside.

Furthermore, the perforation 6125 is formed in the area of the supportsheet 6120 b facing the perforation 6105 formed on the surface sheet6110 a and holes 6121 b, 6124 b are formed in the areas facing the paperbatteries 6131 and audio information input/output section 6140 whensuperimposed on the audio information recording/reproducing section6130.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 47 a, in the surface sheet 6110 a isprovided with an information display area 6102 in which information tobe transmitted to the receiver of this label 6101 is printed in the areain which the audio information recording/reproducing section 6130 issandwiched through the perforation 6105, the area of the support sheet6120 a facing the switch 6133 a through the hole 6122 is provided with aprint showing the playback button 6103 a for operating the switch 6133 aand the area of the support sheet 6120 a facing the switch 6133 bthrough the hole 6122 is provided with a print showing the recordingbutton 6103 b for operating the switch 6133 b. Furthermore, in the areaof the support sheet 6120 a facing the audio information input/outputsection 6140 through the hole 6124 a, an audio output area 6104 with anarray of fine holes for outputting audio output from the audioinformation input/output section 6140 is formed. Even when the surfaceof the audio information input/output section 6040 is covered with thesurface sheet 6010 a, the formation of the audio output area 6104 madeup of such an array of fine holes can compensate for a reduction ofsound volume output from the audio information output section 6140.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6130 issandwiched between the surface sheet 6110 a and support sheets 6120 a,6120 b.

A method of use of the above described label 6101 will be explainedbelow.

First, the sender of the label 6101 prints information to be transmittedin the information display area 6102 of the surface sheet 6110 a andprints the playback button 6103 a and recording button 6103 b.

Furthermore, with the switch 6133 b held down through the recordingbutton 6103 b, audio information to be transmitted to the receiver ofthe label 6101 is input through the audio information input/outputsection 6140 and recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6134.

FIG. 49 a is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the switch 6133 bshown in FIGS. 47 a to 47 c when the switch 6133 b is not pressedthrough the recording button 6103 b and FIG. 49 b is a cross-sectionalview of the vicinity of the switch 6133 b shown in FIGS. 47 a to 47 cwhen the switch 6133 b is pressed through the recording button 6103 b.

In the label 6101 shown in FIGS. 47 a to 47 c, when the switch 6133 b isnot pressed through the recording button 6103 b, the wiring pattern 6137a and the wiring pattern 6137 d formed on the audio substrate 6132 arenot electrically connected as shown in FIG. 49 a. For this reason, theport terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 6134 connected to thewiring pattern 6137 d through the wiring patterns 6137 c, 6171, that is,the port terminal to which an instruction signal for recording the audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6140 in the memory area of the IC chip 6134 is input is left open and inthis condition, even if audio information is input through the audioinformation input/output section 6140, the audio information input isnot recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6134.

On the other hand, when the switch 6133 b is pressed through therecording button 6103 b, the wiring pattern 6137 a and the wiringpattern 6137 d formed on the audio substrate 6132 are electricallyconnected through the conductive agent 6138 applied to the back of theswitch 6133 b as shown in FIG. 49 b. Since the wiring pattern 6137 a isconnected to the positive electrode of the paper batteries 6131, theport terminal connected to the wiring pattern 6137 d through the wiringpatterns 6137 c, 6171, that is, the port terminal to which aninstruction signal for recording audio information input through theaudio information input/output section 6140 in the memory area of the ICchip 6134 is input becomes the power supply potential and if audioinformation is input through the audio information input/output section6140 in this condition, the input audio information is recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6134.

As described above, desired different audio information can be recordedat the destination of the label 6101 by recording audio informationafter printing the information on the label 6101, but it is alsopossible to print the information after recording the audio information.Furthermore, instead of inputting audio information through the audioinformation input/output section 6140, it is also possible to inputaudio information from the outside through the connection terminal 6135provided on the audio substrate 6132. In that case, not only audioinformation but also an instruction for inputting this audio informationis input through the connection terminal 6135, and when this instructionis input, the IC chip 6134 records the audio information input in thememory area through the connection terminal 6135. Furthermore, the audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6134 can also beoutput to the outside through the connection terminal 6135. In thatcase, an instruction for outputting the audio information recorded inthe memory area of the IC chip 6134 is input through the connectionterminal 6135 and when this instruction is input, the IC chip 6134outputs the audio information recorded in the memory area through theconnection terminal 6135.

In this way, after information is printed and audio information isrecorded in the IC chip 6134, if the surface sheet 6110 a and supportsheet 6120 b are cut through perforations 6105, 6125, this causes theconnection substrate 6170 of the audio information recording/reproducingsection 6130 to be cut, which in turn disconnects the wiring pattern6171 formed on the connection substrate 6170. In the area of theconnection substrate 6170 facing the perforations 6105, 6125, notches6172 are formed in a shape that does not impair the connection conditionof the wiring pattern 6171, and since the line width of the area of thewiring pattern 6171 facing the perforations 6105, 6125 is narrow, whenthe surface sheet 6110 a and support sheet 6120 b are cut through theperforations 6105, 6125, these sheets can be easily cut through theperforations 6105, 6125.

FIG. 50 illustrates an inner structure of the label 6101 shown in FIGS.47 a to 47 d when cut into two areas along perforations 6105, 6125.

As shown in FIG. 50, when the surface sheet 6110 a and support sheet6120 b are cut into two areas through the perforations 6105, 6125, theconnection substrate 6170 is cut, which causes the wiring pattern 6171formed on the connection substrate 6170 also to be cut. In thiscondition, the wiring pattern 6137 d connected to the switch 6133 b andthe wiring pattern 6137 c connected to the port terminal to which aninstruction signal for recording audio information input through theaudio information input/output section 6140 in the memory area of the ICchip 6134 is input are not electrically connected, and therefore even ifthe switch 6133 b is pressed through the recording button 6103 b, theport terminal to which an instruction signal for recording audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6140 in the memory area of the IC chip 6134 is input does not become thepower supply potential. For this reason, even if audio information isinput through the audio information input/output section 6140 in thiscondition, the input audio information is not recorded in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6134.

Then, of the label 6101 whose surface sheet 6110 a and support sheet6120 b are cut through the perforations 6105, 6125, the surface on whichthe playback button 6103 a and recording button 6103 b are provided ispasted to an object and this object is supplied to the destination ofthe label 6101. In this case, in the label 6101 pasted to the object,since the wiring pattern 6171 for recording audio information in the ICchip 6134 is disconnected, even if the switch 6133 b is pressed throughthe recording button 6103 b, audio information is not recorded in the ICchip 6134.

Furthermore, when the receiver of the label 6101 presses the switch 6133a through the playback button 6103 a, audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6134 is output through the audio informationinput/output section 6140.

As in the case of the pressing of the switch 6133 b through theaforementioned recording button 6103 b, when the switch 6133 a is notpressed through the playback button 6103 a, the wiring pattern 6137 aformed on the audio substrate 6132 and the wiring pattern 6137 b are notelectrically connected, and therefore the port terminal of the portterminals of the IC chip 6134 connected to the wiring pattern 6137 b,that is, the port terminal to which an instruction signal for outputtingaudio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6134 isinput is left open, and the audio information recorded in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6134 is not output.

On the other hand, when the switch 6133 a is pressed through theplayback button 6103 a, the wiring pattern 6137 a formed on the audiosubstrate 6132 and wiring pattern 6137 b are electrically connectedthrough the conductive agent (not shown) applied to the back of theswitch 6133 a. Since the wiring pattern 6137 a is connected to thepositive electrode of the paper batteries 6131, the port terminalconnected to the wiring pattern 6137 b, that is, the port terminal towhich an instruction signal for outputting audio information recorded inthe memory area of the IC chip 6134 is input becomes the power supplypotential, and the audio information recorded in the memory area of theIC chip 6134 is thereby output through the audio informationinput/output section 6140. Thus, pressing the switch 6133 a through theplayback button 6103 a causes the audio information recorded in the ICchip 6134 to be output through the audio information input/outputsection 6140.

This embodiment does not provide any surface sheet on the side of anobject to be pasted but performs pasting to the object through theadhesive 6129 b applied to the back of the support sheet 6120 b, andtherefore compared to the one shown in the fifteenth embodiment which ismade separable into two areas, it is only necessary to form perforation6105 on one surface sheet 6110 a and it is possible to realize a costreduction as well.

Seventeenth Embodiment

FIG. 51 a is a plan view of a label according to a seventeenthembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 51 b illustrates an innerstructure of the label 6201 shown in FIG. 51 a and FIG. 51 c is across-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 51 a.Furthermore, FIG. 52 illustrates laminated structure of the label 6201shown in FIGS. 51 a to 51 c.

As shown in FIGS. 51 a to 51 c and FIG. 52, this embodiment isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information recording/reproducingsection 6230 capable of recording/reproducing audio informationsandwiched between two support sheets 6220 a, 6220 b made of a flexible,thin base material such as paper base material and a surface sheet 6210a made of a flexible, thin base material such as paper base materialbonded to the surface of the support sheet 6220 a not facing the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 6230. Furthermore, astrippable paper 6260 is bonded to part of the surface of the supportsheet 6220 b not facing the audio information recording/reproducingsection 6230 in a strippable manner. Adhesives 6228 a, 6229 a areapplied to the front and back of the support sheet 6220 a, an adhesive6228 b is applied to the surface of the support sheet 6220 b and anadhesive 6229 b is applied to one of the two areas of the back of thesupport sheet 6220 b that can be separated through a perforation 6225 bformed on the support sheet 6220 b. The surface sheet 6210 a is bondedto the support sheet 6220 a through the adhesive 6228 a applied to thesupport sheet 6220 a, and the support sheet 6220 b and the strippablepaper 6260 are bonded together through the adhesive 6229 b applied tothe support sheet 6220 b in a strippable manner. One sheet base materialis constructed of the surface sheet 6210 a and support sheet 6220 a, onesheet base material is constructed of the support sheet 6220 b, and theaudio information recording/reproducing section 6230 is sandwichedbetween these two sheet base materials and the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6230 is fixed through the adhesive 6229 aapplied to the back of the support sheet 6220 a and the adhesive 6228 bapplied to the surface of the support sheet 6220 b. The adhesive 6229 bis not applied to the back of one of the areas of the support sheet 6220b to be divided through the perforation 6225 b and the strippable paper6260 is not bonded to the area.

Furthermore, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6230 isconstructed of a sheet-like audio information input/output section 6240for inputting/outputting audio information from the piezo-electricelement 6241 and diaphragm 6242, etc., an audio substrate 6232 mountedwith a thin IC chip 6234 provided with a memory area in which audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6240 is recorded, circuit elements such as a capacitor and resistor anda second switch. 6233 a electrically connected to the IC chip 6234 andoperated to output audio information recorded in the IC chip 6234,flexible paper batteries 6231 connected to the audio substrate 6232 forsupplying power to the audio substrate 6232, and a connection substrate6270 mounted with a first switch 6233 b operated to record audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6240 in the IC chip 6234 and wiring patterns 6271 a, 6271 b forelectrically connecting the IC chip 6234 and paper batteries 6231 andswitch 6233 b. In this way, the audio information recording/reproducingsection 6230 has a sheet-like structure. Furthermore, the audiosubstrate 6232 is provided with connection terminals 6235 for inputtingaudio information to the IC chip 6234 from outside and outputting audioinformation recorded in the IC chip 6234 to the outside, a wiringpattern 6237 a for connecting the positive electrode of the paperbatteries 6231 and switch 6233 a, a wiring pattern 6237 b for connectingthe port terminal of the port terminals of the IC chip 6234 to which aninstruction signal for outputting audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6234 is input and the switch 6233 a, and awiring pattern 6237 c for connecting the port terminal of the portterminals of the IC chip 6234 to which an instruction signal forrecording audio information input through the audio informationinput/output section 6240 in the memory area of the IC chip 6234 isinput and the wiring pattern 6271 b formed on the connection substrate6270. Here, the wiring pattern 6237 a and the wiring pattern 6237 b arenot electrically connected at the lower part of the switch 6233 a andthe wiring pattern 6271 a and the wiring pattern 6271 b are notelectrically connected at the lower part of the switch 6233 b.Furthermore, the audio substrate 6232 is a flexible, thin substrate madeof fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyimide or lead frame, etc., with the IC chip 6234 bondedthereto by means of anisotropic/conductive adhesive (ACP),anisotropic/conductive film (ACF) or wire bonding. Furthermore, theconnection substrate 6270 also needs to have flexibility as describedabove and further needs to be made of a material such as a film that canbe easily cut. Furthermore, the IC chip 6234 controls recording of audioinformation input through the audio information input/output section6240 in the memory area and outputting of audio information recorded inthe memory area through the audio information input/output section 6240,and when the port terminal connected to the wiring pattern 6237 bbecomes the power supply potential, the IC chip 6234 outputs the audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6234 and recordsthe audio information input through the audio information input/outputsection 6240 in the memory area of the IC chip 6234 as long as the portterminal connected to the wiring pattern 6237 c remains at the powersupply potential. Furthermore, the switch 6233 a is operated to outputaudio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6234through the audio information input/output section 6240 and the switch6233 b is operated to record audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 6240 in the memory area of the IC chip6234.

The audio information input/output section 6240, audio substrate 6232,paper batteries 6231 and connection substrate 6270 constituting theaudio information recording/reproducing section 6230 are sandwichedbetween the support sheets 6220 a, 6220 b so that the audio informationinput/output section 6240, audio substrate 6232 and paper batteries 6231remain in only one of the two areas to be divided along perforations6225 a, 6225 b, and the connection substrate 6270 spans the two areasdivided along perforations 6225 a, 6225 b and the switch 6233 b islocated in an area different from the area in which the audioinformation input/output section 6240, audio substrate 6232, paperbatteries 6231 are sandwiched.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52, the perforation 6225 a is formed inthe area of the support sheet 6220 a facing the perforation 6205 formedon the surface sheet 6210 a and holes 6221 a, 6222 a, 6222 b, 6223, 6224a are formed in the area facing the paper batteries 6231, switches 6233a, 6233 b, IC chip 6234 and audio information input/output section 6240respectively when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6230. Furthermore, the thickness thereofis smaller than that of the switch 6233 a of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6230.

In this way, when the audio information recording/reproducing section6230 is sandwiched between the support sheets 6220 a, 6220 b and surfacesheet 6210 a, only the area of the surface of the surface sheet 6210 aon which the playback button 6203 a is provided protrudes from the otherarea, which makes the playback button 6203 a identifiable by touchingfrom the outside.

Furthermore, the perforation 6225 b is formed in the area of the supportsheet 6220 b facing the perforation 6205 formed on the surface sheet6210 a and holes 6221 b, 6224 b are formed in the area facing the paperbatteries 6231 and audio information input/output section 6240respectively when superimposed on the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6230.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 51 a, in the area in which the audioinformation recording/reproducing section 6230 is sandwiched through theperforation 6205, the surface sheet 6210 a is provided with aninformation display area 6202 in which information to be transmitted tothe receiver of this label 6201 is printed, and the area of the supportsheet 6220 a facing the switch 6233 a through the hole 6222 a isprovided with a print showing the playback button 6203 a for operatingthe switch 6233 a and the area of the support sheet 6220 a facing theswitch 6233 b through the hole 6222 b is provided with a print showingthe recording button 6203 b for operating the switch 6233 b.Furthermore, in the area of the support sheet 6220 a facing the audioinformation input/output section 6240 through the hole 6224 a, an audiooutput area 6204 with an array of fine holes for outputting audio outputfrom the audio information input/output section 6240 is formed. Evenwhen the surface of the audio information input/output section 6240 iscovered with the surface sheet 6210 a, the formation of the audio outputarea 6204 made up of such an array of fine holes can compensate for areduction of sound volume output from the audio information input/outputsection 6240. Furthermore, Braille characters information 6206 forexpressing information printed on the information display area 6202 andinformation showing the playback button 6203 a, etc., is formed.

In this way, the audio information recording/reproducing section 6230 issandwiched between the surface sheet 6210 a and support sheets 6220 a,6220 b.

A method of use of the above described label 6201 will be explainedbelow.

First, the sender of the label 6201 prints information to be transmittedin the information display area 6202 of the surface sheet 6210 a andprints the playback button 6203 a and recording button 6203 b.

Furthermore, with the switch 6233 b held down through the recordingbutton 6203 b, audio information to be transmitted to the receiver ofthe label 6201 is input through the audio information input/outputsection 6240 and recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6234.

In the label 6201 shown in FIGS. 51 a to 51 c, when the switch 6233 b isnot pressed through the recording button 6203 b, the wiring pattern 6271a and the wiring pattern 6271 b formed on the connection substrate 6270are not electrically connected. For this reason, the port terminal ofthe port terminals of the IC chip 6234 connected to the wiring pattern6271 b through the wiring pattern 6237 c, that is, the port terminal towhich an instruction signal for recording the audio information inputthrough the audio information input/output section 6240 in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6234 is input is left open and in this condition,even if audio information is input through the audio informationinput/output section 6240, the audio information input is not recordedin the memory area of the IC chip 6234.

On the other hand, when the switch 6233 b is pressed through therecording button 6203 b, the wiring pattern 6271 a and the wiringpattern 6271 b formed on the connection substrate 6270 are electricallyconnected through a conductive agent (not shown) applied to the back ofthe switch 6233 b. Since the wiring pattern 6237 a formed on the audiosubstrate 6232 is connected to the positive electrode of the paperbatteries 6231, the port terminal connected to the wiring pattern 6271 bthrough the wiring pattern 6237 c, that is, the port terminal to whichan instruction signal for recording audio information input through theaudio information input/output section 6240 in the memory area of the ICchip 6234 is input becomes the power supply potential and if audioinformation is input through the audio information input/output section6240 in this condition, the input audio information is recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6234.

As described above, desired different pieces of audio information can berecorded at the destination of the label 6201 by recording audioinformation after printing the information on the label 6201, but it isalso possible to print the information after recording the audioinformation. Furthermore, instead of inputting audio information throughthe audio information input/output section 6240, it is also possible toinput audio information from the outside through the connection terminal6235 provided on the audio substrate 6232. In that case, not only audioinformation but also an instruction for inputting this audio informationis input through the connection terminal 6235, and when this instructionis input, the IC chip 6234 records the audio information input in thememory area through the connection terminal 6235. Furthermore, the audioinformation recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6234 can also beoutput to the outside through the connection terminal 6235. In thatcase, an instruction for outputting the audio information recorded inthe memory area of the IC chip 6234 is input through the connectionterminal 6235 and when this instruction is input, the IC chip 6234outputs the audio information recorded in the memory area through theconnection terminal 6235.

In this way, after information is printed and audio information isrecorded in the IC chip 6234, if the surface sheet 6210 a and supportsheets 6220 a, 6220 b are cut through perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b,this causes the connection substrate 6270 of the audio informationrecording/reproducing section 6230 to be cut, which in turn disconnectsthe wiring patterns 6271 a, 6271 b formed on the connection substrate6270. In the areas of the connection substrate 6270 facing theperforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b, notches 6272 are formed in a shapethat does not impair the connection condition of the wiring pattern6271, and since the line width of the area of the wiring patterns 6271a, 6271 b facing the perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b is narrow, whenthe surface sheet 6210 a and support sheets 6220 a, 6220 b are cutthrough the perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b, these sheets can beeasily cut through the perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b.

When the surface sheet 6210 a and support sheets 6220 a, 6220 b are cutinto two areas through the perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b, theconnection substrate 6270 is cut and the wiring patterns 6271 a, 6271 bformed on the connection substrate 6270 are thereby cut and the switch6233 b operated to record audio information input through the audioinformation input/output section 6240 in the IC chip 6234 is separatedfrom the IC chip 6234 and paper batteries 6231.

Then, of the label 6201 whose surface sheet 6210 a and support sheets6220 a, 6220 b are cut through the perforations 6205, 6225 a, 6225 b,the side on which the IC chip 6234 and paper batteries 6231 aresandwiched is pasted to an object and this object is supplied to thedestination of the label 6201. In this case, since the recording button6203 b does not exist on the label 6201 pasted to the object, no audioinformation is recorded in the IC chip 6234.

Furthermore, when the receiver of the label 6201 presses the switch 6233a through the playback button 6203 a, audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6234 is output through the audio informationinput/output section 6240.

As in the case of the pressing of the switch 6233 b through theaforementioned recording button 6203 b, when the switch 6233 a is notpressed through the playback button 6203 a, the wiring pattern 6237 aformed on the audio substrate 6232 and the wiring pattern 6237 b are notelectrically connected, and therefore the port terminal of the portterminals of the IC chip 6234 connected to the wiring pattern 6237 b,that is, the port terminal to which an instruction signal for outputtingaudio information recorded in the memory area of the IC chip 6234 isinput is left open, and the audio information recorded in the memoryarea of the IC chip 6234 is not output.

On the other hand, when the switch 6233 a is pressed through theplayback button 6203 a, the wiring pattern 6237 a formed on the audiosubstrate 6232 and wiring pattern 6237 b are electrically connectedthrough a conductive agent (not shown) applied to the back of the switch6233 a. Since the wiring pattern 6237 a is connected to the positiveelectrode of the paper batteries 6231, the port terminal connected tothe wiring pattern 6237 b, that is, the port terminal to which aninstruction signal for outputting audio information recorded in thememory area of the IC chip 6234 is input becomes the power supplypotential, and the audio information recorded in the memory area of theIC chip 6234 is thereby output through the audio informationinput/output section 6240. Thus, pressing the switch 6233 a through theplayback button 6203 a causes the audio information recorded in the ICchip 6234 to be output through the audio information input/outputsection 6240.

As described above, this embodiment does not apply any adhesive to thesurface of pasting to an object in the area of the support sheet 6220 bof the two support sheets 6210 a, 6220 b, which becomes the side to bepasted to the object, cut through the perforation 6225 and not pasted tothe object, and can thereby prevent mistaken pasting of the area whichshould be separated before being pasted to the object.

The labels 6001, 6101, 6201 shown in the above described fifteenth toseventeenth embodiments can be used pasted to a medicine bag, forexample.

The invention shown in the above described fifteenth to seventeenthembodiments is a label pastable to an object constructed in such a waythat audio information is recorded in sheet-like audio informationrecording/reproducing means sandwiched between two sheet base materialsand the recorded audio information can be reproduced, and therefore whenthe label in which information to be transmitted is recorded as audioinformation is pasted to the object and this object is delivered to thedestination of the audio information, it is possible to transmit desiredinformation to the able-bodied and the visually handicapped alike.

Furthermore, when two sheet base materials are made separable into twoareas and the audio information recording/reproducing means issandwiched between two sheet base materials so that the wiring forrecording audio information spans the two areas, if audio information isrecorded in the audio information recording/reproducing means and thentwo sheet base materials are separated into two areas when this label ispasted to the object, the wiring for recording the audio information isdisconnected and it is thereby possible to prevent the audio informationfrom being mistakenly recorded in the label pasted to the object.

Furthermore, when two sheet base materials are made separable into twoareas and the audio information recording/reproducing means issandwiched between two sheet base materials so that a first switchoperated to record audio information is disposed in one of the two areasand the other member constituting the audio informationrecording/reproducing means is disposed in the other area, if audioinformation is recorded in the audio information recording/reproducingmeans and then the two sheet base materials are separated into two areaswhen this label is pasted to the object, the first switch operated torecord audio information of the audio information recording/reproducingmeans is not pasted to the object, and it is thereby possible to preventthe audio information from being mistakenly recorded in the label pastedto the object.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that adhesive work is notapplied to the surface to be pasted to an object of the sheet basematerial of the two sheet base materials in the area in which the firstswitch is sandwiched, it is possible to prevent mistaken pasting to theobject in the area in which the first switch is sandwiched and whichshould be separated before being pasted to the object.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the areas of the twosheet base materials facing the second switch operated when audioinformation recorded in the audio information recording/reproducingmeans is reproduced is made identifiable by touching from the outside,the visually handicapped can recognize this second switch more easily.

Eighteenth Embodiment

FIG. 53 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit according to an eighteenth embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 53 b is a cross-sectional view along the lineA-A′ shown in FIG. 53 a and FIG. 53 c is a cross-sectional view alongthe line B-B′ shown in FIG. 53 a.

As shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c, the paper battery according to thisembodiment is constructed of a positive electrode layer 7010 made ofmanganese dioxide, etc., and a negative electrode layer 7020 made ofzinc, etc., laminated together through a gel electrolytic layer 7030, aprotective film 7012 made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., andcoated with a conductive ink 7011 laminated on the positive electrodelayer 7010 side and a protective film 7022 made of PET, etc., and coatedwith a conductive ink 7021 laminated on the negative electrode layer7020 side. Furthermore, the protective film 7012 coated with theconductive ink 7011 includes a protruding area 7013 which protrudes fromthe outside shape of the positive electrode layer 7010, the negativeelectrode layer 7020 and electrolytic layer 7030, and the protectivefilm 7022 coated with the conductive ink 7021 includes a protruding area7023 which protrudes from the outside shape of the positive electrodelayer 7010, negative electrode layer 7020 and electrolytic layer 7030,and these protruding areas 7013, 7023 protrude from the outside shapesof the positive electrode layer 7010, negative electrode layer 7020 andelectrolytic layer 7030 in different areas. Here, since the conductiveinks 7011, 7021 are coated on the positive electrode layer 7010 side andnegative electrode layer 7020 side of the protective films 7012, 7022respectively, the surfaces of the protruding areas 7013, 7023 from whichthe conductive inks 7011, 7021 are exposed are different from eachother.

In the paper battery 1 structured as described above, the conductive ink7011 coated on the protective film 7012 is electrically continuous withthe positive electrode layer 7010, and therefore the conductive ink 7011in the protruding area 7013 constitutes a positive electrode and theconductive ink 7021 coated on the protective film 7022 is electricallycontinuous with the negative electrode layer 7020, and therefore theconductive ink 7021 in the protruding area 7023 constitutes a negativeelectrode.

The power supply circuit using the above described paper battery 7001will be explained below.

FIG. 54 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery 7001 shown inFIGS. 53 a to 53 c is mounted, on which the paper battery 7001 ismounted, FIG. 54 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite tothe surface shown in FIG. 54 a. Furthermore, FIG. 55 a illustrates astructure of the surface of a power supply circuit with the paperbattery 7001 shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 54 a, 54 b, on which the paper battery 7001 ismounted and FIG. 55 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite tothe surface shown in FIG. 55 a.

As shown in FIGS. 54 a, 54 b, a land 7003 a to be a first conductivearea is formed on the surface of the substrate 7002 and a land 7003 b tobe a second conductive area is formed on the back of the substrate 7002and a calculation circuit 7005 is mounted on the surface on which theland 7003 a is formed in such a way that the calculation circuit 7005 isconnected to the lands 7003 a, 7003 b. The land 7003 b formed on theside opposite to the side on which the calculation circuit 7005 ismounted is connected to the calculation circuit 7005 through a throughhole 7006. Furthermore, the substrate 7002 is provided with a notch 7004into which the protruding area 7023 of the paper battery 7001 fits whenthe paper battery 7001 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 7002on which the calculation circuit 7005 is mounted.

When the paper battery 7001 shown in FIGS. 53 a, 53 b is mounted on thecircuit substrate structured as described above, the paper battery 7001is mounted in such a way that the protruding area 7013 of the paperbattery 7001 contacts the land 7003 a formed on the surface of thesubstrate 7002 on which the calculation circuit 7005 is mounted and theprotruding area 7013 and land 7003 a are bonded together using aconductive material, for example, ACF (anisotropic/conductive film), ACP(anisotropic/conductive adhesive) or silver paste, etc. Furthermore, inthis case, the protruding area 7023 of the paper battery 1 penetratesinto the surface opposite to the surface on which the calculationcircuit 7005 is mounted through the notch 4 provided on the substrate7002 and contacts the land 7003 b and the protruding area 7023 and theland 7003 b are bonded together using a conductive material such as ACF,ACP or silver paste. Here, the surface of the protruding area 7013 whichcontacts the land 7003 a is coated with the conductive ink 7011 which iselectrically continuous with the positive electrode layer 7010 of thepaper battery 7001, and therefore when the protruding area 7013 and theland 7003 a are bonded together, the positive electrode layer 7010 ofthe paper battery 7001 is electrically connected with the land 7003 a.Furthermore, the surface of the protruding area 7023 which contacts theland 700 b is coated with the conductive ink 7021 which is electricallycontinuous with the negative electrode layer 7020 of the paper battery7001, and therefore when the protruding area 7023 and the land 7003 bare bonded together, the negative electrode layer 7020 of the paperbattery 7001 is electrically connected with the land 7003 b. In thisway, the paper battery 7001 and lands 7003 a, 7003 b form a power supplycircuit for supplying power to the calculation circuit 7005.

A method of manufacturing the above described power supply circuit willbe explained below.

FIG. 56 a to 56 d illustrate the method of manufacturing the powersupply circuit shown in FIGS. 55 a, 55 b.

First, as shown in FIG. 56 a, when a plurality of substrates 7002 arearranged, lands 7003 a, 7003 b are formed on each substrate 7002 andfurther a calculation circuit 7005 is mounted so as to be connected tothe land 7003 a, 7003 b as shown in FIG. 56 b.

Next, lands 7003 a, 7003 b are formed as shown in FIG. 56 c and thecircuit substrates on which the calculation circuits 7005 are mountedare separated into individual pieces. In this case, notches 7004 areformed in the substrates 7002 simultaneously with the separation of thecircuit substrates, and therefore there is no need to provide anadditional step of forming the notches 7004.

Then, as shown in FIG. 56 d, the paper battery 7001 is mounted on eachcircuit substrate in a state of individual pieces and the lands 7003 a,7003 b and the protruding areas 7013, 7023 of the paper battery 7001 arebonded together.

Nineteenth Embodiment

FIG. 57 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery 7001 shown inFIGS. 53 a to 53 c is mounted, on which the paper battery 7001 ismounted and FIG. 57 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite tothe surface shown in FIG. 57 a. Furthermore, FIG. 58 a illustrates astructure of the surface of a power supply circuit with the powerbattery 7001 shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 57 a to 57 d, on which the paper battery 7001is mounted and FIG. 58 b illustrates a structure of the surface oppositeto the surface shown in FIG. 58 a.

As shown in FIGS. 57 a, 57 b, in the circuit substrate of thisembodiment, three lands 7103 a which constitute a first conductive areaare formed on the surface of a substrate 7102 and three lands 7103 bwhich constitute a second conductive area are formed on the back of thesubstrate 7102, and a calculation circuit 7105 is mounted on the side onwhich the lands 7103 a are formed so as to be connected to each of thesethree lands 7103 a and three lands 7103 b. Of the three lands 7103 a,the land 7103 a formed in the area nearest to the calculation circuit7105 is connected to the calculation circuit 7105 and of the three lands7103 b, the land 7103 b formed in the area farthest from the calculationcircuit 7105 is connected to the calculation circuit 7105 through athrough hole 7106. Furthermore, of the lands 7103 a, the land 7103 aformed in the area farthest from the calculation circuit 7105 iselectrically continuous with the back of the substrate 7102 through thethrough hole 7106 and connected to the land 7103 b out of the threelands 7103 b formed in the area second farthest from the calculationcircuit 7105, and the land 7103 a out of the lands 7103 a formed in thearea second farthest from the calculation circuit 7105 is electricallycontinuous with the back of the substrate 7102 through the through hole7106 and connected to the land 7103 b out of the three lands 7103 bformed in the area nearest to the calculation circuit 7105. Furthermore,the substrate 7102 is provided with three notches 7104 so that when thethree paper batteries 7001 are mounted on the surface of the substrate7102 on which the calculation circuit 7105 is mounted, protruding areas7023 of three paper batteries 7001 fit in. Furthermore, the pitch of thethree lands 7103 a, 7103 b is half the length of the paper battery 7001mounted on the substrate 7102 excluding the protruding areas 7013, 7023in the length direction in which the protruding areas 7013, 7023 areprovided. In this way, when a plurality of paper batteries 7001 aremounted on the circuit substrate so as to be connected to the lands 7103a, 7103 b, the plurality of paper batteries 7001 are overlapped with oneanother in an imbricate structure. Furthermore, in the overlapped area,only two neighboring paper batteries 7001 are overlapped with eachother. In this way, adopting the structure with parts of a plurality ofpaper batteries 7001 overlapping with one another can reduce the area ofthe circuit substrate and realize a cost reduction, and as in the caseof this embodiment adopting the structure that only two neighboringpaper batteries 7001 overlap with each other can considerably reduce thethickness of the overlapped areas of the paper batteries 7001.

When three paper batteries 7001 shown in FIGS. 53 a to 53 c are mountedin the circuit substrates structured as described above, the paperbatteries 7001 are mounted in such a way that the protruding areas 7013of the three paper batteries 7001 contact the lands 7103 a formed on thesurface on which the calculation circuit 7105 of the substrate 7102 ismounted, and the three protruding areas 7013 and lands 7103 a are bondedtogether using a conductive material such as ACF, ACP or silver paste.Furthermore, in this case, the protruding areas 7023 of the three paperbatteries 7001 penetrate into the surface opposite to the surface onwhich the calculation circuit 7105 is mounted through the notch 7104provided on the substrate 7102, contact the lands 7103 b and the threeprotruding areas 7023 and lands 7103 b are bonded together using aconductive material such as ACF, ACP or silver paste. Mounting of thethree paper batteries 1 on the substrate 7102 and bonding of theprotruding areas 7013 and lands 7103 a are carried out sequentiallystarting from the area farthest from the calculation circuit 7105. Here,the surface on which the protruding areas 7013 contact the lands 7103 ais coated with the conductive ink 7011 which is electrically continuouswith the positive electrode layer 7010 of the paper batteries 7001, andtherefore when the protruding areas 7013 and lands 7103 a are bondedtogether, the positive electrode layer 7010 of the paper batteries 7001and land 7103 a are electrically connected. Furthermore, the surface onwhich the protruding areas 7023 contact the lands 7103 b is coated withthe conductive ink 7021 which is electrically continuous with thenegative electrode layer 7020 of the paper batteries 7001, and thereforewhen the protruding areas 7023 and lands 7103 b are bonded together, thenegative electrode layer 7020 of the paper batteries 7001 and land 7103b are electrically connected. Furthermore, of the lands 7103 a, the land7103 a is in the area farthest from the calculation circuit 7105 becomeselectrically continuous with the back of the substrate 7102 through thethrough hole 7106, connected to the land 7103 b of the three lands 7103b formed in the area second farthest from the calculation circuit 7105,and further the land 7103 a formed in the area second farthest from thecalculation circuit 7105 is electrically continuous with the back of thesubstrate 7102 through the through hole 7106 and connected with the land7103 b of the three lands 7103 a formed in the area nearest from thecalculation circuit 7105, and therefore when three paper batteries 7001are mounted on the substrate 7102 so as to be connected to the lands7103 a, 7103 b, these three paper batteries 7001 are connected inseries, and the three paper batteries 7001 connected in series and lands7103 a, 7103 b form a power supply circuit for supplying power to thecalculation circuit 7105.

In the above described eighteenth embodiment, the protruding areas 7023of the paper batteries 7001 penetrate into the opposite surface of thecircuit substrate through the notch 7004 provided on the circuitsubstrate and connected to the lands 7003 b, but it is also possible toconstruct the power supply section, as in the case of the paper battery7001 of the three paper batteries 7001 farthest from the calculationcircuit 7105 shown in the nineteenth embodiment, with only theprotruding area 7023 penetrated into the surface opposite to the circuitsubstrate at an end of the circuit substrate and at least one paperbattery 7001 connected to the land 7103 b.

Twentieth Embodiment

FIG. 59 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit according to a twentieth embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 59 b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shownin FIG. 59 a and FIG. 59 c is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B′shown in FIG. 59 a.

As shown in FIGS. 59 a to 59 c, in the paper battery in this embodiment,a positive electrode layer 7210 made of manganese dioxide, etc., and anegative electrode layer 7220 made of zinc, etc., are laminated togetherthrough a gel electrolytic layer 7230, and a protective film 7212 madeof PET, etc., is laminated on the positive electrode layer 7210 side anda protective film 7222 made of PET, etc., is laminated on the negativeelectrode layer 7220 side. Parts of the protective films 7212, 7222 areremoved, which constitute exposed areas 7213, 7223 from which parts ofthe positive electrode layer 7210 and negative electrode layer 7220 areexposed on different surfaces.

In the paper battery 7201 structured as described above, the exposedarea 7213 from which the positive electrode layer 7210 is exposedconstitutes a positive electrode and the exposed area 7223 from whichthe negative electrode layer 7220 is exposed constitutes a negativeelectrode.

A power supply circuit using the above described paper battery 7201 willbe explained below.

FIG. 60 a illustrates a structure of the surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate on which the paper battery 7201 shown inFIGS. 59 a to 59 c is mounted, on which the paper battery 7201 ismounted, FIG. 60 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite tothe surface shown in FIG. 60 a. Furthermore, FIG. 61 a illustrates astructure of the surface of a power supply circuit with the paperbattery 7201 shown in FIGS. 59 a to 59 c mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 60 a, 60 b, on which the paper battery 7201 ismounted and FIG. 61 b illustrates a structure of the surface opposite tothe surface shown in FIG. 61 a.

As shown in FIGS. 60 a, 60 b, in the circuit substrate in thisembodiment, a land 7203 a which constitutes a first conductive area isformed on the surface of the substrate 7202, a land 7203 b whichconstitutes a second conductive area is formed on the back of thesubstrate 7202 and a calculation circuit 7205 is mounted on the surfaceon which the land 7203 a is formed so as to be connected to these lands7203 a, 7203 b. The land 7203 b formed on the surface opposite to thesurface on which the calculation circuit 7205 is mounted is connected tothe calculation circuit 7205 through a through hole 7206. Furthermore,the substrate 7202 is provided with a notch 7204 into which the exposedarea 7223 of the paper battery 7201 fits when the paper battery 7201 ismounted on the surface on which the calculation circuit 7205 of thesubstrate 7202 is mounted.

When the paper battery 7201 shown in FIGS. 59 a to 59 c is mounted onthe circuit substrate structured in this way, the paper battery 7201 ismounted in such a way that the exposed area 7213 of the paper battery7201 contacts the land 7203 a formed on the surface of the substrate7202 on which the calculation circuit 7205 is mounted and the exposedarea 7213 and land 7203 a are bonded together using, for example, aconductive material such as ACF, ACP or silver paste. Furthermore, inthis case, the exposed area 7223 of the paper battery 7201 penetratesinto the surface opposite to the surface on which the calculationcircuit 7205 is mounted through the notch 7204 provided on the substrate7202, contacts the land 7203 b and the exposed area 7223 and the land7203 b are bonded together using a conductive material such as ACF, ACPor silver paste. Here, since the positive electrode layer 7210 of thepaper battery 7201 is exposed on the surface of the exposed area 7213contacting the land 7203 a, when the exposed area 7213 and land 7203 aare bonded together, the positive electrode layer 7210 of the paperbattery 7201 and the land 7203 a are electrically connected.Furthermore, since the negative electrode layer 7220 of the paperbatteries 7201 is exposed on the surface of the exposed area 7223contacting the land 7203 b, when the exposed area 7223 and land 7203 bare bonded together, the negative electrode layer 7220 of the paperbattery 7201 and land 7203 b are electrically connected. In this way,the paper battery 7201 and lands 7203 a, 7203 b form a power supplycircuit for supplying power to the calculation circuit 7205.

The present invention shown in the above described eighteenth totwentieth embodiments is a power supply circuit comprising a paperbattery made up of a positive electrode and a negative electrodelaminated together through an electrolytic layer, with the positiveelectrodes and negative electrodes exposed from different surfaces,connected to a sheet-like circuit substrate on which conductive areasfor connections with the electrodes are formed, having a structure thata first conductive area to be connected to one of the positive electrodeand negative electrode and a second conductive area to be connected tothe other electrode of the positive electrode and negative electrode areformed on different surfaces, the paper battery is mounted on thesurface provided with the first conductive area so that one electrode isconnected to the first conductive area and the other electrode isconnected to the second conductive area, and therefore it is possible toform a power supply circuit without increasing the resistance betweenthe paper battery and the circuit substrate and without folding thepaper battery.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that the circuit substrateincludes a notch so that the other electrode penetrates from the frontinto the back of the circuit substrate and the other electrode of thepaper battery penetrates into the side on which the second conductivearea is formed through the notch and connected to the second conductivearea, it is possible to allow the other electrode of the paper batteryto penetrate into the other side of the circuit substrate through thenotch and connect to the second conductive area even when the paperbattery is mounted at any place other than the end of the circuitsubstrate and this does not limit the area of the circuit substrate inwhich the paper battery is mounted.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that when a plurality of setsof first and second conductive areas are formed on the circuit substrateand as many paper batteries as the sets of first and second conductiveareas are mounted so as to be connected to a plurality of first andsecond conductive areas, the plurality of first and second conductiveareas are connected so that a plurality of paper batteries are connectedin series, it is possible to form a power supply circuit with aplurality of paper batteries connected in series.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure that when the first and secondconductive areas are mounted on the circuit substrate so that aplurality of paper batteries are connected to a plurality of first andsecond conductive areas, at least parts of the plurality of paperbatteries overlap with one another, it is possible to reduce the area ofthe circuit substrate on which the plurality of paper batteries aremounted and realize a cost reduction.

Twenty-first Embodiment

FIG. 62 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a paper battery used for apower supply circuit manufactured using a method of manufacturing apower supply circuit according to a twenty-first embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 62 b is a cross-sectional view along the lineA-A′ shown in FIG. 62 a and FIG. 62 c is a cross-sectional view alongthe line B-B′ shown in FIG. 62 a.

As shown in FIGS. 62 a to 62 c, the paper battery in this embodiment isconstructed in such a way that a positive electrode layer 8010 made ofmanganese dioxide, etc., and a negative electrode layer 8020 made ofzinc, etc., are laminated together through a gel electrolytic layer8030, a protective film 8012 made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate),etc., coated with a conductive ink 8011 is laminated on the positiveelectrode layer 8010 side, and a protective film 8022 made of PET, etc.,coated with a conductive ink 8021 is laminated on the negative electrodelayer 8020 side. Furthermore, the protective film 8012 coated with theconductive ink 8011 includes a protruding area 8013 protruding from theoutside shapes of the positive electrode layer 8010, negative electrodelayer 8020 and electrolytic layer 8030, the protective film 8022 coatedwith the conductive ink 8021 includes a protruding area 8023 protrudingfrom the outside shapes of the positive electrode layer 8010, negativeelectrode layer 8020 and electrolytic layer 8030 and these protrudingareas 8013, 8023 protrude from the outside shapes of the positiveelectrode layer 8010, negative electrode layer 8020 and electrolyticlayer 8030 in different areas. Since the conductive inks 8011, 8021 arecoated on the protective films 8012, 8022 on the positive electrodelayer 8010 side and negative electrode layer 8020 side, respectively,the surfaces from which the conductive inks 8011, 8021 are exposed inthe protruding areas 8013, 8023 are different surfaces. Furthermore, inthe protective films 8012, 8022, there are areas in which the protectivefilms 8012, 8022 are exposed without the conductive inks 8011, 8021being applied on the surfaces coated with the conductive inks 8011, 8021in the protruding areas 8013, 8023.

In the paper battery 8001 structured as described above, since theconductive ink 8011 applied to the protective film 8012 is electricallycontinuous with the positive electrode layer 8010, the conductive ink8011 of the protruding area 8013 constitutes a positive electrode andsince the conductive ink 8021 applied to the protective film 8022 iselectrically continuous with the negative electrode layer 8020, theconductive ink 8021 of the protruding area 8023 constitutes a negativeelectrode.

FIG. 63 illustrates the three paper batteries 8001 shown in FIGS. 62 ato 62 c connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 63, the three paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c areconnected by superimposing the paper battery 8001 a on the paper battery8001 b and bonding them together so that the conductive ink 8021 in theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a faces the conductiveink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 b, and bysuperimposing the paper battery 8001 b on the paper battery 8001 c andbonding them together so that the conductive ink 8021 in the protrudingarea 8023 of the paper battery 8001 b faces the conductive ink 8011 inthe protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c. In this way, thethree paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c are connected in series so thatthe conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 13 of the paper battery8001 a constitutes a positive electrode and the conductive ink 8021 inthe protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c constitutes anegative electrode.

A power supply circuit using the above described paper battery 8001 willbe explained below.

FIG. 64 a illustrates a structure of one surface of an embodiment of asheet-like circuit substrate used for a power supply circuitmanufactured using a method of manufacturing a power supply circuitaccording to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention and FIG.64 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the circuitsubstrate shown in FIG. 64 a. Furthermore, FIG. 65 a illustrates astructure of one surface of the power supply circuit with the paperbatteries 8001 a to 8001 c shown in FIG. 63 mounted on the circuitsubstrate shown in FIGS. 64 a, 64 b and FIG. 65 b illustrates astructure of the other surface of the power supply circuit shown in FIG.65 a.

As shown in FIGS. 64 a, 64 b, in the circuit substrate in thisembodiment, on one surface of a sheet-like substrate 8032 made of resinsuch as PET, a calculation element 8034 is mounted and a land 8031 awhich constitutes a connection terminal for connecting the conductiveink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 which becomes the positiveelectrode of the paper battery 8001 a shown in FIG. 63 is formed, and onthe other surface of the substrate 8032, a land 8031 b which is aconnection terminal for connecting the conductive ink 8021 in theprotruding area 8023 which becomes the negative electrode of the paperbattery 8001 c shown in FIG. 63 is formed, the calculation element 8034and land 8031 a are connected through the wiring pattern 8037 a, and thecalculation element 8034 and land 8031 b are connected through a throughhole 8036 and a wiring pattern 8037 b. Furthermore, a plurality of fineholes 8033 a, 8033 b are formed in the respective areas in which thelands 8031 a, 8031 b are formed.

When the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c shown in FIG. 63 are mountedon the circuit substrate structured in this way, as shown in FIGS. 65 a,65 b, the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c are mounted on the circuitsubstrate so that the conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013which becomes the positive electrode of the paper battery 8001 acontacts the land 8031 a and the conductive ink 8021 in the protrudingarea 8023 which becomes the negative electrode of the paper battery 8001c contacts the land 8031 b, the protruding area 8013 of the paperbattery 8001 a and the land 8031 a are bonded through ultrasonic bondingand the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c and the land8031 b are bonded through ultrasonic bonding. Here, since the conductiveink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a whichcontacts the land 8031 a is connected to the positive electrode layer8010 of the paper battery 8001 a, if the protruding area 8013 of thepaper battery 8001 a and land 8031 a are bonded together, the positiveelectrode layer 8010 of the paper battery 8001 a and the land 8031 a areelectrically connected. Furthermore, since the conductive ink 8021 inthe protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c which contacts theland 8031 b is connected to the negative electrode layer 8020 of thepaper battery 8001 c, if the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery8001 c and the land 8031 b are bonded together, the negative electrodelayer 8020 of the paper battery 8001 c and land 8031 b are electricallyconnected. In this way, the paper battery 8001 a to 8001 c connected inseries and the lands 8031 a, 8031 b form a power supply circuit forsupplying power to the calculation element 8034.

A method of manufacturing the above described power supply circuit willbe explained below.

FIGS. 66 a to 66 e illustrate a method of manufacturing the power supplycircuit shown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b. FIGS. 66 a to 66 e illustrate onlyone surface of the power supply circuit shown in FIGS. 65 a, 65 b, butthe other surface will also follow the explanations below.

First, as shown in FIG. 66 a, a land 8031 a and a wiring pattern 8037 ato be connected to this land 8031 a are formed on one surface of thesheet-like substrate 8032 made of resin such as PET and a land 8031 band a wiring pattern 8037 b to be connected to this land 8031 b areformed on the other surface of the substrate 8032. Furthermore, athrough hole 8036 is also formed on the substrate 8032. The lands 8031a, 8031 b, wiring patterns 8037 a, 8037 b and through hole 8036 may bemade of copper and formed through etching, for example.

Next, as shown in FIG. 66 b, a plurality of holes 8033 a, 8033 b ofapproximately 0.5 to 2 mm in diameter penetrating from front to back ofthe substrate 8032 are formed on the respective areas of the substrate8032 in which the lands 8031 a and 8031 b are formed. The holes 8033 a,8033 b may also be formed simultaneously in the step of forming thethrough hole 8036 on the substrate 8032.

Next, as shown in FIG. 66 c, a calculation element 8034 is mounted onthe substrate 8032 so that the wiring pattern 8037 a and through hole8036 are connected.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 63, the paper battery 8001 a issuperimposed on the paper battery 8001 b so that the conductive ink 8021in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a faces theconductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 b, and the paper battery 8001 b is superimposed on the paperbattery 8001 c so that the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 b faces the conductive ink 8011 in theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c, and the superimposedareas are subjected to ultrasonic vibration in this condition. Then, theconductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery8001 a and the conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of thepaper battery 8001 b are melted by this vibration and the protrudingarea 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the protruding area 8013 ofthe paper battery 8001 b are bonded by ultrasonic bonding, and theconductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery8001 b and the conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of thepaper battery 8001 c are melted by this vibration, and the protrudingarea 8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and the protruding area 8013 ofthe paper battery 8001 c are bonded by ultrasonic bonding. In this way,as shown in FIG. 66 d, the three paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c areconnected in series. Furthermore, in this case, the protective film 8022exposed in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and theprotective film 8012 exposed in the protruding area 8013 of the paperbattery 8001 b are melted, these are also bonded through ultrasonicbonding, and the protective film 8022 exposed in the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and the protective film 8012 exposed inthe protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c are melted andthese are also bonded through ultrasonic bonding.

In this embodiment, on the surface of the protruding areas 8013, 8023coated with the conductive inks 8011, 8021, there are areas in which theconductive inks 8011, 8021 are not coated and the protective films 8012,8022 are exposed and the protective films 8012, 8022 are bonded throughultrasonic bonding in these areas, but it is also possible to adopt astructure with the conductive ink 8011 coated on the entire surface ofone side of the protective film 8012 and the conductive ink 8021 coatedon the entire surface of one side of the protective film 8022. In thatcase, if ultrasonic vibration is applied as described above, onlythrough the melting of the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the conductive ink 8011 in theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 b, the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the protruding area 8013 of thepaper battery 8001 b are bonded together through ultrasonic bonding.Furthermore, likewise, only through the melting of the conductive ink8021 in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and theconductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 c, the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c are bonded togetherthrough ultrasonic bonding.

Then, the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c connected in series aremounted on the substrate 8032 so that the conductive ink 8011 in theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a faces the land 8031 aof the substrate 8032 and the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 c faces the land 8031 b of the substrate8032 and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the mutually facing parts inthis condition. Then, as shown in FIG. 66 e, the conductive ink 8011 inthe protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a is melted by thisvibration and the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a andthe land 8031 a are bonded together through ultrasonic bonding.Furthermore, the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 of thepaper battery 8001 c is also melted through this vibration and theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c and the land 8031 b arebonded together through ultrasonic bonding. In this way, the paperbatteries 8001 a to 8001 c connected in series and the lands 8031 a,8031 b are electrically connected, and the paper batteries 8001 a to8001 c and lands 8031 a, 8031 b form a power supply circuit forsupplying power to the calculation element 8034. In this case, theconductive ink 8011 melted through ultrasonic vibration is flown intothe hole 8033 a formed in the land 8031 a and the conductive ink 8021melted through ultrasonic vibration is flown into the hole 8033 b formedin the land 8031 b.

FIG. 67 illustrates a connection state between the substrate 8032 of thepower supply circuit and the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 cmanufactured using the manufacturing method shown in FIGS. 66 a to 66 eand shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 66 e.

As shown in FIG. 67, the conductive inks 8011, 8021 melted throughultrasonic vibration are flown into the holes 8033 a, 8033 b formed inthe lands 8031 a, 8031 b. The protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 a and the land 8031 a, and the protruding area 8023 of the paperbattery 8001 c and the land 8031 b bonded together through ultrasonicbonding in this way are also bonded together in the holes 8033 a, 8033b, which increases the bonded area and increases the bonding force.

In this embodiment, the holes 8033 a, 8033 b penetrating from front toback of the substrate 8032 are formed in the lands 8031 a, 8031 brespectively, but the holes 8033 a, 8033 b need not always penetrate ifthey allow the conductive inks 8011, 8021 melted through ultrasonicvibration to flow into the respective holes and they may also be groovesinstead of holes. Furthermore, it is also possible to apply work tocoarsen the surfaces of the lands 8031 a, 8031 b.

Twenty-second Embodiment

FIG. 68 a illustrates a structure of one surface of a sheet-like circuitsubstrate used for a power supply circuit manufactured using a method ofmanufacturing a power supply circuit according to a twenty-secondembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 68 b illustrates astructure of the other surface of the circuit substrate shown in FIG. 68a. Furthermore, FIG. 69 a illustrates a structure of one surface of thepower supply circuit with the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c shown inFIG. 63 mounted on the circuit substrate shown in FIGS. 68 a, 68 b andFIG. 69 b illustrates a structure of the other surface of the powersupply circuit shown in FIG. 69 a.

As shown in FIGS. 68 a, 68 b, in the circuit substrate in thisembodiment, on one surface of a sheet-like substrate 8132 made of resinsuch as PET, a calculation element 8134 is mounted, a land 8131 a whichconstitutes a connection terminal for connecting a conductive ink 8011in a protruding area 8013 which becomes the positive electrode of thepaper battery 8001 a shown in FIG. 63 is formed, and on the othersurface of the substrate 8132, a land 8131 b which constitutes aconnection terminal for connecting a conductive ink 8021 in a protrudingarea 8023 which becomes the negative electrode of the paper battery 8001c shown in FIG. 63 is formed, the calculation element 8134 and land 8131a are connected through the wiring pattern 8137 a and the calculationelement 8134 and land 8131 b are connected through the through hole 8136and wiring pattern 8137 b. Here, according to this embodiment, the lands8131 a, 8131 b are shaped so that when the paper batteries 8001 a to8001 c are mounted on the substrate 8132 in such a way that theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a shown in FIG. 63 facesthe land 8131 a and the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 cfaces the land 8131 b, the lands 8131 a, 8131 b are not formed in partsof the areas facing the protruding areas 8013, 8023 of the paper battery8001 a.

When the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c shown in FIG. 63 are mountedon the circuit substrate structured in this way, the paper batteries8001 a to 8001 c are mounted on the circuit substrate as shown in FIGS.69 a, 69 b in such a way that the conductive ink 8011 in the protrudingarea 8013 which becomes the positive electrode of the paper battery 8001a contacts the land 8131 a and the conductive ink 8021 in the protrudingarea 8023 which becomes the negative electrode of the paper battery 8001c contacts the land 8131 b, the protruding area 8013 of the paperbattery 8001 a and land 8131 a are bonded together through ultrasonicbonding and the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c and theland 8131 b are bonded together through ultrasonic bonding. Here, sincethe conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 a which contacts the land 8131 a is connected to the positiveelectrode layer 8010 of the paper battery 8001 a, and therefore when theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a and the land 8131 a arebonded together, the positive electrode layer 8010 of the paper battery8001 a and the land 8131 a are electrically connected. Furthermore,since the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 of the paperbattery 8001 c which contacts the land 8131 b is connected to thenegative electrode layer 8020 of the paper battery 8001 c, and thereforewhen the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c and the land8131 b are bonded together, the negative electrode layer 8020 of thepaper battery 8001 c and the land 8131 b are electrically connected. Inthis way, the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c connected in series andthe lands 8131 a, 8131 b form a power supply circuit for supplying powerto the calculation element 8134.

A method of manufacturing the above described power supply circuit willbe explained below.

FIGS. 70 a to 70 d illustrate a method of manufacturing the power supplycircuit shown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b. FIGS. 70 a to 70 d illustrate onlyone surface of the power supply circuit shown in FIGS. 69 a, 69 b, butthe other surface will also follow the explanations below.

First, as shown in FIG. 70 a, the land 8131 a and wiring pattern 8137 ato be connected to this land 8131 a are formed on one surface of thesheet-like substrate 8132 made of resin such as PET and the land 8131 band wiring pattern 8137 b to be connected to this land 8131 b are formedon the other surface of the substrate 8132. This embodiment does notform the lands 8131 a, 8131 b in parts of the areas facing theprotruding areas 8013, 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a so that theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a faces the land 8131 aand the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c faces the land8131 b when the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c are mounted on thesubstrate 8132. Furthermore, the through hole 8136 is also formed on thesubstrate 8132. The lands 8131 a, 8131 b, wiring patterns 8137 a, 8137 band through hole 8136 may be made of copper and formed through etching,for example.

Next, as shown in FIG. 70 b, the calculation element 8134 is mounted onthe substrate 8132 so as to be connected to the wiring pattern 8137 aand through hole 8136.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 63, the paper battery 8001 a issuperimposed on the paper battery 8001 b so that the conductive ink 8021in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a faces theconductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 b and the paper battery 8001 b is superimposed on the paper battery8001 c so that the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 ofthe paper battery 8001 b faces the conductive ink 8011 in the protrudingarea 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c, and ultrasonic vibration isapplied to the overlapped area in this condition. Then, the conductiveink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and theconductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 b are melted through this vibration, the protruding area 8023 ofthe paper battery 8001 a and the protruding area 8013 of the paperbattery 8001 b are thereby bonded together through ultrasonic bonding,and furthermore, the conductive ink 8021 in the protruding area 8023 ofthe paper battery 8001 b and the conductive ink 8011 in the protrudingarea 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c are melted through this vibrationand the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c are thereby bondedtogether through ultrasonic bonding. In this way, the three paperbatteries 800 a to 8001 c are connected in series as shown in FIG. 66 c.Furthermore, in this case, the protective film 8022 exposed in theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the protective film8012 exposed in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 b aremelted and bonded together through ultrasonic bonding, and theprotective film 8022 exposed in the protruding area 8023 of the paperbattery 8001 b and the protective film 8012 exposed in the protrudingarea 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c are melted and bonded togetherthrough ultrasonic bonding. In this embodiment as well as thetwenty-first embodiment, when the conductive inks 8011, 8021 are appliedto the entire surfaces of the protective film 8012, 8022, the protrudingarea 8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the protruding area 8013 ofthe paper battery 8001 b are bonded together through ultrasonic bondingby only the melting of the conductive ink 8021 of the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 a and the conductive ink 8011 of theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 b and the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 b and the protruding area 8013 of thepaper battery 8001 c are bonded together through ultrasonic bonding byonly the melting of the conductive ink 8021 of the protruding area 8023of the paper battery 8001 b and the conductive ink 8011 of theprotruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 c.

Then, the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c connected in series aremounted on the substrate 8132 in such a way that the conductive ink 8011in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a faces the land8131 a of the substrate 8132 and the conductive ink 8021 in theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c faces the land 8131 bof the substrate 8132 and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the areasfacing each other in this condition. Then, as shown in FIG. 66 d, theconductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 a is melted through this vibration and the protruding area 8013 ofthe paper battery 8001 a and the land 8131 a are bonded together throughultrasonic bonding. Furthermore, the conductive ink 8021 in theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c is also melted throughthis vibration and the protruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 cand the land 8131 b are bonded together through ultrasonic bonding. Inthis way, the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c connected in series areelectrically connected to the lands 8131 a, 8131 b and the paperbatteries 8001 a to 8001 c and lands 8131 a, 8131 b form a power supplycircuit for supplying power to the calculation element 8134. In thiscase, of the area facing the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery8001 a, the area in which the land 8131 a is not formed is also meltedthrough ultrasonic vibration and of the area facing the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 c, the area in which the land 8131 b isnot formed is also melted through ultrasonic vibration.

FIG. 71 illustrates a connection state between the substrate 8132 of thepower supply circuit manufactured using the manufacturing method shownin FIGS. 70 a to 70 d and the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c andillustrates a cross-section along the line A-A′ shown in FIG. 71 d.

As shown in FIG. 71, when ultrasonic vibration is applied to the areawhere the protruding area 8013 of the paper battery 8001 a faces theland 8131 a of the substrate 8132 and the area where the protruding area8023 of the paper battery 8001 c faces the land 8131 b of the substrate8132, the conductive ink 8011 in the protruding area 8013 of the paperbattery 8001 a is melted and the substrate 8132 in the area facing thisprotruding area 8013 where the land 8131 a is not formed is melted andthese are bonded together. Likewise, the conductive ink 8021 in theprotruding area 8023 of the paper battery 8001 c is melted and thesubstrate 8132 in the area facing this protruding area 8023 where theland 8131 b is not formed is melted and these are bonded together. Inthis way, the bonding force between the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 cand the substrate 8132 increases.

Here, it is also possible to increase the bonding force between thepaper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c and the substrate by combining theabove described twenty-first and twenty-second embodiments.

Furthermore, the above described twenty-first and twenty-secondembodiments construct the positive electrodes and negative electrodes inthe protruding areas 8013, 8023 of the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 cby applying the conductive inks 8011, 8021 to the protective films 8012,8022, but it is also possible to construct the positive electrodes andnegative electrodes of the paper batteries 8001 a to 8001 c using anyone of preferable metallic substances such as graphite, iron, nickel,titanium, copper, stainless steel or a mixture of these metals.

In the invention shown in the above described twenty-first andtwenty-second embodiments, the positive electrode and negative electrodeof the paper battery and two connection terminals provided on thecircuit substrate are electrically connected through ultrasonic bonding,and therefore when a power supply circuit made up of paper batteriesconnected on a circuit substrate is manufactured, it is possible toimprove productivity without increasing the manufacturing cost.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure including a step of formingholes in the area of the circuit substrate in which connection terminalsare formed, the positive electrode and negative electrode of the paperbattery melted through ultrasonic vibration are flown into these holes,which increases the bonding force between the paper battery and thecircuit substrate and improves reliability.

Furthermore, in the case of the structure with no connection terminalformed on parts of the areas facing the positive electrode and negativeelectrode of the circuit substrate when the paper battery is mounted onthe circuit substrate, the parts of the areas facing the positiveelectrode and negative electrode of the circuit substrate are meltedthrough ultrasonic vibration, causing the bonding force between thepaper battery and the circuit substrate to increase, and it is possibleto improve durability against external forces such as folding, andreliability.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedin specific terms, such description is for illustrative purpose only,and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

1. An audio message transfer sheet comprising: audio informationrecording/reproducing means having a thin shape and capable ofrecording/reproducing audio information; two support sheets, each havingat least one first hole, said support sheets being bonded together andsupporting said audio information recording/reproducing means, with atleast a part of said audio information recording/reproducing means beingexposed from at least one of said holes in said support means; and twosurface sheets constructed of a paper base material and bonded to saidtwo support sheets, the surface sheets sandwiching said two supportsheets, wherein said audio information recording/reproducing meanscomprises audio information outputting means for outputting recordedaudio information, said audio information outputting means comprising: apiezo-electric element for outputting said audio information; a filmsheet having a larger diameter than said piezo-electric element, pastedto one surface of said piezo-electric element; and a diaphragm providedwith a second hole having a diameter larger than the diameter of saidpiezo-electric element and smaller than the diameter of said film sheet,pasted to said film sheet in such a way that said piezo-electric elementfits into said second hole, said diaphragm being bonded to one of saidtwo support sheets only in an area of the surface of bonding with saidfilm sheet where said diaphragm is not bonded to said film sheet,wherein one of said two surface sheets has an information display area,and a plurality of fine third holes in an area facing said diaphragm andthe total thickness of said two support sheets is equal to or greaterthan the thickness of the thickest part of said audio informationrecording/producing means.
 2. An audio message transfer sheet accordingto claim 1, wherein the other of said two surface sheets has aninformation display area and does not have fine third holes.